With the theme to build a harmonious society, this year 13th Dhaka Book Fair started from December 1. But a discord between the National Book Centre (NBC) authorities and the publishers is brewing trouble.

The fair organised by NBC has been taking place in January every year since 1995 to mark January 1 as National Book Day and January 1-7 as National Book week.

"But this year, considering the upcoming election at the end of January, we decided to organise the fair in advance in December," said Shafiqul Islam, Director, NBC.

On the other hand, publishers considering the present political situation demanded postponement of the fair and suggested to arrange the fair in March or in April. But the publishers' pleas were brushed aside by the NBC.

"As the present director is going on leave preparatory to retirement (LPR) at the end of this month he hurriedly arranged the fair this month without paying heed to our request. For this reason we have boycotted the fair " said Saeed Bari, proprietor of Shuchipatra.

Oitijjho, Agami, Shomoy, Shikha and Muktodhara are also not participating this year, he added.

The participatory publishers are not happy as few book lovers are seen on the fair premises and sale is not up to the mark.

AKM Kamruzzaman of University Press Limited (UPL) said that, the selling in the fair is not satisfactory. He pointed out that the present political situation, and the inadequate publicity for the fair is not encouraging book lovers to visit the event. He also said, as most schools are yet to finish their final examinations, the school going children cannot visit the fair.

"The number of visitors is satisfactory but the sale is worse than the previous Dhaka Book Fair," said Sabuj of Ananya Prakashani.

However, Biplob Farooq from Mijan publishers expressed a different view. He said sale is better than the previous fair, held in January this year.

"The fair usually takes place in January. So there should have been adequate publicity," said a publisher.

The NBC Director said they have given advertisement in different media within their limitation.

"Due to political instability we get no sponsorship to run the fair. As a result NBC had to bear all the expenses," he said.

Publishers said research-oriented books, children's books, science fictions, adapted books and books from eminent writers were well received by the readers.

Some publishers brought out new books. University Press Limited (UPL) published 14 books. Ananya Prakashani and Mizan Publications published 10 each.

The beginning of the fair did not attract many visitors, but a rush was seen in the last few days.

The fair remains open for visitors from 2:30pm to 8:30pm on weekdays and 11:00am to 8:30pm on holidays. Entry fee is Tk two. The fair ends on December 16.