Textbook Printing Scam: 659 Crore BDT allegedly looted through syndicate

A syndicate has been taking hundreds of crores of taka from the government every year by manipulating the printing of free textbooks for students. In 2025, the group alone embezzled Tk 658 crore 85 lakh 29 thousand 665 just from textbook printing work.

The syndicate is involved in several illegal activities, including becoming the lowest bidder through manipulation to secure printing contracts, creating artificial shortages of paper to increase prices, and committing fraud involving art cards to extract extra money. The group not only manipulates the tender process but also controls fluctuations in paper prices.

They even control which printing press will receive which work and how much paper each paper trader will get.

Recently, these details were revealed in a special report prepared by an important government agency regarding the printing and distribution of textbooks for the 2025 academic year by the (NCTB).

According to the report, after the July mass uprising, the government decided not to print textbooks in Indian institutions during the last academic year. Taking advantage of this decision, local printing companies formed a syndicate regarding textbook printing.

They leaked the estimated tender prices of textbooks and divided the lots among themselves. Printing press owners submitted bids 20–25% higher than usual, which allowed them to take more than Tk 6.5885 billion beyond the government's allocated budget. The syndicate took advantage of the suspension of international tenders.

Before the July uprising, printing institutions had submitted bids about 10% lower than the estimated price for 70 lots covering three primary classes. Last year, the government printed 401,567,202 books from pre-primary to tenth grade. The total expenditure for this was Tk 2,762 crore 8 lakh 91 thousand 144.

The report states that the syndicate in the NCTB textbook printing tender process has reached an alarming level. The printing institutions leading this syndicate include Karnaphuli Art Press, Letter N Color, Apex Printing and Color, Sarkar Printing and Publishing, Agrani Printing Press, Ananda Printers Limited, Kochua Press and Publications, Simanta Printing Press and Publication, Proma Press and Publications, and Bright Printing Press.

Sources say dishonest officials and employees of NCTB leak the estimated tender prices to press owners in exchange for unethical benefits. Later, several major press owners - Mohsin of Proma Press and Publications, Dulal Sarkar of Sarkar Printing and Publishing, Rabbani Jabbar of Ananda Printers, Rubel of Agrani Printing Press, and Robin and Kajol of Karnaphuli Art Press, hold secret meetings and divide the preferred lots among themselves.

Through this syndicate, the corrupt group not only distributes preferred lots but also manages to obtain additional work orders. By mutual agreement, they submit bids as the first, second, and third lowest bidders. These negotiations reportedly take place at the office of Dulal Sarkar, owner of Sarkar Printing and Publishing.

To prevent syndication in textbook printing, the agency made several recommendations. These include appointing honest and competent officials in NCTB to prevent the leakage of estimated tender prices and breaking the syndicate allegedly formed by special beneficiaries from the era and those currently disguising themselves as members of the (BNP).

The report also states that there are currently 119 registered paper mills in the country. Among them, only a few, such as Bashundhara, Meghna, Amber Super, and Partex, have the capacity to supply paper according to NCTB specifications. Many other mills lack the machinery, capacity, and financial support required to supply paper meeting those specifications. As a result, they often supply paper of lower quality.

Some printing presses that receive textbook printing contracts also engage in other printing activities such as guidebooks and notebooks toward the end of the year. This creates a shortage of paper and delays textbook printing.

Additionally, some printing houses are involved in paper trading. They sign advance agreements with paper mills and purchase most of the paper supply, storing it in warehouses to create artificial shortages and increase prices. Later, smaller printing presses are forced to buy this paper at higher prices.

According to the report, individuals involved in the paper syndicate include Mintu Molla, Sheikh Siraj, Dulal Sarkar, Omar Faruk, Mohsin, Rubel-Robin, Rabbani Jabbar, and Dewan Kabir.

Information also indicates that in 2025, about 23 paper mills, both large and small supplied paper directly or through dealers to the printing presses. These mills have a daily production capacity of about 1,000 tons. However, as demand increases every year, mill owners raise the price of paper. In addition, lower-quality paper is sometimes produced and supplied while charging prices for higher-quality paper.

Some dishonest printing press owners, either individually or in groups, also create artificial shortages to raise paper prices.

Regarding this price manipulation, the report says that Mallik Paper Mill, Capital Paper Mill, and Azad Paper Mill are operated by Omar Faruk, owner of Sarkar Press. Rashid Paper Mill is run by Mintu Molla, owner of Auto Printing Press and Molla Printing Press.

Data also show that 230 GSM art card, used in textbooks, is entirely import-dependent. When imported according to regulations, the price becomes high due to VAT and taxes. However, the syndicate allegedly imports these art cards through dishonest means, secretly stores them, creates artificial shortages, and raises prices in the market. Five or six individuals and three or four companies are directly involved in this practice.

The report mentions Dewan Kabir of Master Simex Paper Limited, Union Associate, Rahmat Enterprise, Yusuf Enterprise of Naya Bazar, Omar Faruk of Sarkar Press, press owner Tofayel, Amin Hilali of Dosh Disha Printers, Rafin Enterprise, and others as being involved.

When asked about allegations of looting money by raising tender prices through syndication, Rashed Hossain, an executive of Letter N Color Limited, told reporters:

I personally complete the tender activities for textbook printing. No syndicate is formed in this process. There is no negotiation either.

He also stated that all work is done according to proper rules.

When contacted about allegations of raising prices through syndication in textbook printing, Mamun Hossain, owner of Proma Press and Publications, declined to comment.

If the allegations in this report are accurate, it reveals a serious problem of corruption and syndicate control in Bangladesh’s education supply system. Free textbooks are meant to support millions of students, especially those from low-income families. When a small group manipulates tenders, creates artificial shortages, and inflates prices, it wastes public money and undermines trust in government institutions. Strong transparency in tender processes, strict monitoring of printing contracts, and accountability for corrupt officials are essential to ensure that public funds are used properly for the benefit of students and the education system.