Textbook Scam? Gujarat Congress Demands Investigation.

Newz Daddy Gujarat Congress Updates

Textbook Scam: Students Paying More for Lighter, Cheaper Books; Congress Demands Investigation into Paper Scam

Textbook scam, Hemang Raval, a spokesperson for the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee, says that students are paying the same price for new textbooks even though the paper used is much cheaper and the books weigh less. He wants the government to investigate and take action against the officers and agencies involved in this “paper scam.”

Raval explained that in 2023-24, the Textbook Board bought paper for textbooks at ₹108 per kilogram. For the past 12 years, the same company has always got this contract. Other companies were willing to sell the same paper for ₹87 per kilogram, but the board still bought it for ₹107. The Congress party brought this issue to light, even taking it to the High Court.

Now, in June 2025, the new textbooks being sold use paper that the Textbook Board bought for only ₹53.50 per kilogram. This paper was supposed to be 70 GSM (a measure of paper thickness), but tests showed it was only 66 GSM. Also, the brightness was only 75 instead of the promised 92.

Parents and students are complaining to stationery shop owners that the current textbooks are of very poor quality, with bad printing and binding.

A Quick Look: 2023 vs. 2025 Science Textbook (Class 8)

Here’s how the old and new textbooks compare:

Mr. Raval said that because the new books are lighter and made with much cheaper paper, the government should give them to students for free this year. He demanded that the government investigate the paper scam and hold those responsible accountable.

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