The Assam government has launched a large-scale textbook distribution drive for students whose education was disrupted by the recent floods, with the first consignment of free books dispatched to Charaideo, Sivasagar and parts of Jorhat on Thursday.
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu flagged off the vehicles carrying the textbooks from the warehouse of the Assam State Textbook Production and Publication Corporation Ltd. (ASTPPC) at Bonda in Guwahati. The initiative is aimed at helping students resume their studies as quickly as possible following the flood crisis.
During the first phase of the programme, 1,41,719 textbooks are being transported in seven trucks for distribution among 1,12,843 flood-affected students. According to the Education Department, the three districts together have more than 1.5 lakh students, while the total requirement stands at approximately 8.98 lakh textbooks for students from Classes I to XII.
Speaking to reporters after the flag-off, Pegu said the initial shipment accounts for around 15 per cent of the total requirement. He assured that the remaining textbooks would be dispatched in phases as printing and logistics are completed.
The minister also urged district administrations to ensure the consignments are handled carefully and distributed promptly so that students receive their textbooks without unnecessary delays.
Pegu said printing orders have already been issued for titles that require fresh production, adding that ASTPPC has accelerated the printing process to speed up the supply of the remaining books. He reiterated that the department’s priority is to ensure every affected student receives a complete set of textbooks at the earliest.
In a post on X, the Education Minister said the distribution drive is being carried out under the direction of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He noted that ASTPPC completed the printing work within a short period to facilitate timely delivery, with the first consignment covering 1,41,719 textbooks for 1,12,843 students against an overall requirement of 8,98,231 books.
The Education Department said the distribution campaign will continue until all flood-affected students in the affected districts receive their required textbooks, helping minimise disruptions to the academic session.
