CUTTACK: A controversy has sparked off over the selection of books for libraries in non-government colleges across Odisha, with allegations of favouritism and procedural lapses prompting legal intervention. The Orissa High Court has directed the secretary of Higher Education department to consider the Kalinga Publishers and Booksellers Association’s grievance in accordance with law within 30 days.
The single judge bench of Justice BP Routray also observed that the department may consider halting the supply of the selected books until a final decision is made on the matter. The directive is expected to temporarily stall the ongoing supply process, and all eyes are now on the Higher Education department’s next step.
The case has brought to light broader concerns about transparency and fairness in educational procurement practices. The Kalinga Publishers and Booksellers Association, Cuttack, had challenged the selection process in a writ petition. The association, representing booksellers and publishers across the state, alleged that the designated selection committee responsible for recommending books for college libraries had acted arbitrarily and without due diligence.
According to the petition, out of the hundreds of books approved, nearly 350 titles were exclusively from just five publishers, raising serious concerns of bias and lack of transparency. In their grievance letter dated June 9, 2025, addressed to the commissioner-cum-secretary of the Higher Education department, the association called for immediate quashing of the approved book list. Association president Joy Krishna Mohapatra also demanded a formal inquiry into the matter and stringent action against officials allegedly involved in the irregularities.
The representation alleged that majority of the 350 books in the booklist comprise only a few publishers who have formed a group in connivance with government officials. The booklist provided has the name of the book and name of the author but there is no mention of the name of the publishers. The name of the publishers has been intentionally avoided as most of the books belong to these handful of persons, the representation alleged.