Publishers in a fix as libraries told to stop buying books

Dues from department mount; stocks pile up at godowns

A “ban” on purchase of books for Public Libraries has left several publishers of Kannada books in the lurch. With payment from the Department of Public Libraries overdue, publishers have suffered losses to the tune of crores of rupees.

Publishers from across the state who took part in a sale of Kannada books on Saturday told DH that the department had not paid their dues worth crores. While each publisher supplies books worth about Rs 1 lakh, some estimated the dues to be close to tens of crores.

It has been five months and his pleas have gone unheard, said Arun Kumar H, one of the publishers. Even as he despatched books against the department’s order, his payment is overdue. “They took orders for books published two years ago. We supplied to five libraries in the city and are awaiting payment of Rs 1 lakh. When we approach the department, we are told that they have been asked to withhold payments and place  no further orders,” said Kumar.

It was for books released in 2013 that publishers got their last order. “We have sought merger of the libraries and education departments to bring them under a larger umbrella. If the government does not respond by January and clear our dues, we will go to court,” he added.

He is just one of the several publishers facing a similar challenge. “Usually, they place orders for books by June. When it was not done this year, we approached them. We were told that an order from principal secretary Ajay Seth stated that they should stop purchase of books for a brief period. Our business has been affected considerably because of this,” said a representative from Vasantha Prakashana.

Anticipating government orders, several publishers printed hundreds of copies, only to pile them up in a store room. “We printed books released in 2014 and 2015. We have been asked to halt supplies,” said a seller from IBH Prakashana.
Several others are unsure about how they can clear payments to the others involved in supply of books.

“How will we pay authors and distributors. We are asking for our money. How can it be withheld without any reason” questioned Rao from MJS Publication. Repeated calls to Principal Secretary, Ajay Seth went unanswered.