SRINAGAR: A delegation from the Jammu Book Suppliers Association on Wednesday called on the Minister for Higher Education, Sakina Itoo, at her Civil Secretariat office in Srinagar to highlight the growing concerns of the book supply trade in the Union Territory’s higher education sector.
Led by Association President Ruchi Chouhan Khan, the deputation drew the Minister’s attention to the lack of uniformity in the Expressions of Interest (EOIs) issued by different government degree colleges. The delegation said that the absence of standardised terms and conditions in EOIs had created procedural confusion and delays for suppliers, ultimately affecting the timely delivery of academic resources to colleges.
The Association urged the Minister to consider issuing a policy directive to ensure uniform EOI terms across all government colleges. According to the delegation, such a measure would not only streamline the procurement process but also reduce administrative ambiguities and ensure greater transparency and fairness.
Another pressing issue raised during the meeting was the delay in the release of payments to book suppliers. Many members of the Association said they had been awaiting dues for months, affecting their financial stability and limiting their ability to participate in future procurement cycles. The deputation also requested the early release of the CDRs (Call Deposit Receipts) submitted during the bidding process, which remain withheld beyond the stipulated periods in many cases.
Apart from Khan, the delegation included General Secretary Nishchal Anand, Vice President Harbinder Singh, Narvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary Vibhav Gupta, Treasurer Lutfsar Azad, as well as members Sanjay Anand and I P Singh, all of whom collectively voiced the concerns of the trade community engaged in supplying books to government-run institutions.
Speaking after the meeting, Ruchi Chouhan Khan expressed gratitude to the Minister for her time and understanding. “We are extremely thankful to Madam Sakina Ji for giving us a patient hearing and assuring us of her full support in resolving the issues we face. Her response was reassuring, and we are hopeful of timely action,” she said.
The Minister, sources said, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the delegation that her office would examine the matter closely and take appropriate steps to address both procedural and financial delays in the system.
With the academic calendar underway and colleges relying on fresh supplies of books and academic material, the Association said it hoped for swift intervention to ensure that procurement bottlenecks do not hamper the education sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
