Archive · 1 Feb 2026
Assam Publishers Protest Oxford Dictionary Tender
In Assam, the government wants to buy a lot of Oxford dictionaries for schools.
But local publishers are upset because they think the government should have chosen dictionaries made in Assam.
They say Assam has a long history of making good dictionaries, and the Oxford one is new and more expensive.
They also question why the government isn't supporting local publishers, especially during Assam's 'Book Year' initiative.
The government is buying the books through a fair process, but the publishers feel left out.
Samagra Shiksha Assam floated a Rs 5.50 crore tender for 73,913 copies of the Oxford Compact English-English-Assamese Dictionary.
Local publishers in Assam criticize the decision, alleging exclusion of well-known local dictionaries.
Publishers highlight the higher price of the Oxford dictionary (Rs 725) compared to local alternatives.
Concerns raised about the government's commitment to promoting the local publishing industry during Assam's 'Book Year'.
The tender process is being conducted through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
- Who
- Assam publishers and Samagra Shiksha Assam
- What
- Protest against Oxford dictionary tender
- When
- February 1, 2024
- Where
- Assam, India
- Why
- Publishers allege exclusion of local dictionaries and higher pricing
- Tender Value
- Rs 5.50 crore
- Number of Copies
- 73,913
- Dictionary Price
- Rs 725 (paperback)
- Local Dictionaries
- Priced lower than Oxford
- Government Agency
- Samagra Shiksha Assam