Kolkata: From now on, books written by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will feature in the libraries of schools in West Bengal, according to reports. The schools have been sent a list of books to be included in their respective library collection.
From ‘Ma’ to ‘Kathanjali’, several books by CM Banerjee will be there in the libraries of government-run and aided schools, as per the reported instruction of the authority. According to the sources from the Education Department contacted by TV9 Bangla, the schools will have to buy 515 books and keep them in the library. Out of these 515 books, 19 are by CM Banerjee. Already, each of the schools has been given Rs 1 lakh for the library, followed by the list of books.
According to the sources of TV9 Bangla in Bikash Bhavan, the first batch of Mamata’s books will be sent to the districts of North Bengal. The first set will reach Alipurduar, Darjeeling, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Malda, Siliguri, and Uttar Dinajpur.
The schools in Bankura, Birbhum, Jhargram, and Purulia will receive the second set of books. The third set will reach Hooghly, South Dinajpur, Nadia, and Paschim Medinipur. After this, the fourth set will reach Barrackpore, Howrah, Kolkata, Murshidabad, Paschim Bardhaman and South 24 Parganas. At last, books will be sent to the schools of North 24 Pargana, Purba Bardhaman and East Medinipur.
The general secretary of the Bengali Teachers and Education Workers’ Association, Swapan Mondal said, “The books written by the Chief Minister are being to the libraries of various schools and the government itself is spending money to buy those books. I am surprised to hear this. This a surprising incident. I cannot recall another instance when the CM of our state or another state had taken the same step.
He added, “We consider this an abuse of power. If the education department has taken this decision without Mamata Banerjee’s approval, she should order them to ensure that her books are not kept in the libraries.”
Apart from being the administrative head of the state, CM Banerjee is known to be fond of authoring books, painting, and penning down lyrics for songs. She has written stories for both children and adults. Her books are sold every year at the Kolkata Book Fair. The Chief Minister herself had said about these favourite things she indulges in during her free time. Now, the students will read her works.
