The Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) yesterday began an investigation against the notebook and guidebook traders who have allegedly accumulated assets illegally, reports UNB.

An official of the ACC told the news agency "The Commission has decided to investigate after receiving a complaint against a section of the notebook and guidebook publishing companies who are continuing the trade by bribing government officials."

He said "A complainant alleged that in spite of having the existing notebook ban law of 1980, some officers of various government organisations are regularly allowing such illegal business in exchange of money. Several publishing houses are also accused of acquiring illegal assets."

Immediately in response to this complaint, a special team led by ACC's Dhaka divisional office director Nasim Anwar conducted a drive at different bookstores in Hazrat Shahjalal Market, Babupura Market, Bakushah Market, Islamic Market in Nilkhet. Assistant director of the Commission Abdul Wadud and Masudur Rahman were also there during the operation.

ACC team found the unauthorized guidebooks in every market. Guidebooks of different companies are being sold in different names from second class to 12th grade. Panjeree, Lecture, Anupam, Nabadut, Jannani, Popy and Jupiter published the guidebooks from the second to the 8th grades.

The publication of guidebooks available in the market up to the 9th and 10th grade are of - Panjeree, Lecture, Anupam, Royal, Adil, Computer, Jupiter and Classic for English version. Besides, Panjeree, Jupiter, Popy, Mizan Library, Kajal Brothers, and the Royal Scientific Publication's guidebooks for 11th and 12th classes were found during the drive.

The official added "The guidebooks are being sold in various names like Test Paper, Auxiliary Books, Made Easy. In addition to the class-based guidebooks, there are various guidebooks for Degree, Honors and Master's Classes and there are various guidebooks on job recruitments published by Professors, Oracle, MP3, Three Doctors and Saifur's."

"Although the 1980 note book prohibition law exists in the country, the illegal activity is going on. Under this law, printing and marketing of guides and note books is absolutely prohibited. Also in 2008, the notebook and guide books were banned with the executive order," he also added.  The official further added "In spite of having a law to prohibit note-guides in the country, the note guides published by various publications openly will be examined. The ACC team will examine the issue. At the same time, the people who acquired illegal assets from publications of books illegally will be brought under surveillance and investigation."