Amar Ekushey Boi Mela: Old book, new price
Mahatabul Rahman was roaming around the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela with his wife. He went to a stall on the Suhrawardy Uddyan premises and took a book in his hand, raised his eyebrows and put it back.
He said, "I knew before that the price of new books will increase a bit in the fair this time. But when I came to the fair, I saw that the price has been increased by reprinting the old books. If the price goes up, you can't buy a book."
Syed Tariqul Islam, who was standing in front of the same stall, echoed the same.
He said, "I came to the fair with a list to buy several books. But now I'm seeing publishers have also increased the price of old books. I don't think I'll be able to buy books according to my list."
On the other hand, publishers say they have no choice but to increase the prices.
Afzal Hossain, owner of Anindya Prokash, said, "Last year, I published more than 150 new books. There are plans to publish 40-45 books this time. But I don't know if it will be possible to bring all the books to the fair. Due to the global recession, the price of paper, book binding materials, printing press plates and ink has increased. Publishers have had no choice but to increase the price of books."
In this regard, Prof Muhammad Zafar Iqbal said due to the paper price increase, books are going out of the purchasing power of the reader.
"The government could have subsidised the publishing industry to promote creative books and make them accessible to readers. Due to the increase in the price of paper, many publishers are losing interest in printing books by new authors," he added.
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