Some 45 publishing houses and pro-Awami League bodies participating in the Amar Eksuhey Book Fair have been breaching the fair rules and regulations by displaying and selling books of other publishing houses. The ruling AL-backed stalls have put on display titles brought out by others to ensure their presence in the month-long event. As per the article 6.5 of the fair regulations 2014, no participating institutions and bodies was allowed to sell books of other publishing houses.
Inside the Bangla Academy premises, ruling AL-backed organisations including Uttaran, Patharekha, Jatir Janak Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Smiriti Jadhughar, Juba Jagaran and Shahin Prakashani have been selling books of other publications and, when asked, failed to produce their own catalogues.
Also Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, Nandini Prakashani of Sultana Razia, Din Ratri Prakashani, Jatiya Grantha Kendra and Banalata Prakashani were found flouting the rule.
AL bulletin Uttaran and Patharekha were allotted one unit of stalls each, but a doorway has been set up between the two stalls and they have been displaying and selling the same
titles, published from other publishing houses including PPMC, Samay, Magnum Opas and Gana Prokashan.
Jatir Janak Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Smiriti Jadhughar in a three-unit stall was found displaying books published from Shishu Academy and Asamapta Atmajibani of Bangabandhu [Sheikh Mujibur Rahman].
Juba Jagaran, a stall AL-backed youth association Awami Juba League, however, has brought view-cards on the achievement of the incumbent government.
At Suhrawardy Udyan, Eti Prakashan was found selling banned Doremon. Also Mr Been was available on the fair, violating the article 13.14 (Kha) of the fair rules.
Also AL-backed Trai Prakashani displayed collections of Jhinuk, Jewel Library and The Sky Publishers. Aligar Library was selling books of Shikhdar Prokashani, Bangladesh Ganit Foundation and Maple among others.
Ahamad Publishing House, Mouli Prakashani, Katha Prakash, Sahitya Katha, Uttaran, Hasi Prakashani, Oikya Prakash, Bijnan Academy, Jhinuk Prakashani, Barnayan, Ramon Publishers, Boighar, Afsar Brothers, Rare Books, Apan Prakashan, Purba Prakashan, Shulekha Prakashani, Sahitya Bikash, Gatidhara, Hawlader Prakashani, Barna Bichitra, Jnan Bitarani, Antarip, Aguntuk, and Granthakanan are also selling books of other publishers.
Jnan O Srijanshil Prakashona Sangstha president Osman Gani said, ‘It is illegal and these publishing house should be blacklisted.’
‘We submitted a memorandum to the academy on February 12 to take punitive action against these stalls,’ he said, ’but the academy seems reluctant in this regard.’
The academy DG Shamsuzzaman Khan, however, said he would look into the matter and hold a meeting with the publishers soon.
The academy held a discussion on ‘Abdul Hafiz’ in the afternoon at the main stage.
Today a seminar on Bangkim Chandra Chattapadeya will be held.
The fair is open from 3:00pm to 8:30pm all days but the weekends and holidays, when it remains open from 11:00am till 8:30pm with a break for two hours beginning at 1:00pm.
Courtesy of New Age
