Kathmandu, January 12

Nepal Communist Party (NCP)’s Co-chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has stressed the need for a national book policy. He said the policy was needed to regulate publication, printing and distribution of books.

According to him, past efforts to bring such policy became unsuccessful due to various reasons.

In his address to the fifth National Convention of Federation of Nepal Books and Stationery Business here today, he said publication and distribution of books should be a major concern of the state. “For this, an integrated and centralised policy is needed.”

Stating that there was Bhrikuti Paper Factory in the past to produce papers required for the publication of books at home, the former prime minister said with the privatisation of the industry the country became dependent on imports for paper supply.

He, however, said the country could not prosper without private sector investment. The public-private-cooperative model of development should be adopted, he asserted.

Also speaking on the occasion, Nepali Congress Spokesperson Bishwa Prakash Sharma applauded the contribution of book entrepreneurs in cultivating the culture of reading. He stated that the NC was always positive towards the development and promotion of the private sector.

The conference will conclude tomorrow.