'Bangladeshi publishers facing trouble in selling publications in India'

Agartala, Nov 3:  Book sellers and publishers from Bangladesh are facing trouble in displaying and selling their publications in India due to customs regulations, a Tripura Publishers Guild official said.

“Book sellers and publishers of Bangladesh are facing serious problems in displaying and selling their publications in India. The Indian Customs regulations prevented 10 Bangladeshi book sellers and publishers from participating in the Agartala Pustak Mela,” Tripura Publishers Guild secretary Raghuth Sarkar said here.

According to him, 10 Bangladeshi book sellers and publishers were keen to participate in the book fair but the Indian customs authorities said they would have to seek written permission and submit the books and publications two months ahead of their participation in the fair. “These complicated rules come in the way of Bangladeshi publishers and book sellers from attending the fair,” he added.

Assistant Commissioner of Customs Jyotish Das said for display of Bangladeshi books in India no duty is charged but for sale of books and publications the stipulated duty and necessary formalities must be followed as per rules.

“Customs never create unnecessary obstacles for display and sale of Bangladeshi books in India,” Das told IANS.

On Thursday, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar iugurated the 13-day 13th Agartala Pustak Mela here. Book sellers and publishers from Delhi, Kolkata and Assam besides Tripura are taking part in the fair.

Sarkar alleged that “some forces” are trying to control the print, electronic and social media in the country.

“Truth and facts must bring to light and people have the right to know the actual happenings. Good books and publications should be published more for the welfare of the society and people,” Sarkar stated.(IANS)