Speakers in an interaction demanded that the book publishing sector be recognized as an industry and urged for the necessary facilitation from the State for the same.
Calling for considering discount on the customs charges on the books, the speakers in the programme organized on the sidelines of ongoing South Asia International Book Fair 2023 at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu today said that the book publishing sector was academic and service business.
Bhanubhakta Joshi, President of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee under the parliament, emphasized that both government and private agencies entrusted with publishing and distribution school text books should deliver on time and render service to the students and parents timely.
He pledged to enhance advocacy on issuing national book policy, recognizing book publishing sector as an industry and adjustment the price of the text books.
Similarly, Deepak Sharma, Director General of Education Development and Human Resources Centre, demanded
that the schools should use text books approved by the Curriculum Development Centre and called for collaboration with the private sector to maintain its quality.
Ekta Publication’s Proprietor Ramchandra Timothy viewed that the State should consider concession to the publishers, stating that the publishers were quitting publication business due to economic recession.
Nawaraj Bajgain, Buddha Publication’s Proprietor, demanded earliest issuance of the National Book Policy and consider adjustment of the price of the textbooks that were not adjusted for 11 years.
The Book Fair, inaugurated by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ on November 21, will go through November 25.
There are altogether 180 stalls of book publishers, producers and distributors from over 15 countries including Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh, the USA and Egypt among others, according to the organizers Federation of Nepal Books and Stationery Business and Current Media and Research Centre Pvt Ltd.
The Fair received students fro
m over 60 students today alone, shared Shiva Sagar Sharma, General-Secretary of the Federation.
Source: National News Agency RSS