Bangla Academy criticised for ‘30pc discount’ at Ekushey Book Fair

Customers enjoy a 25 per cent discount at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, and publishers are pushing to cut the discount to 20 per cent, but a Bangla Academy notice declaring a 30 per cent discount for students has drawn criticism.

After the notice spread on social media, the organiser, Bangla Academy says it has taken no such decision.

The signature of KM Mujahidul Islam, a director of the academy and member secretary of the fair management committee, has created confusion.

Rumman Tarshfiq, who runs Pendulum Books, shared the notice on Facebook and demanded a 25 per cent discount for students and 20 per cent for general customers.

Writer Zahid Sohag in another Facebook post, criticised the Bangla Academy, saying they should have considered the ‘abnormally high price’ of paper before raising the discount.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Mujahidul declined to comment on a controversial matter when he is busy preparing for the fair.

Asked about his signature on the notice, he said detectives should be tasked with finding out how that happened.

“Raising the discount for students was discussed in a meeting of the management committee, but no decision was finalised,” he added.

He also said a 25 per cent discount for all at the fair will continue this year.

Shyamal Paul, a vice-president of book publishers and sellers’ association, said they discussed ways to make students more interested in books in the meeting.

One of the participants proposed 30 per cent discount for students from 3pm to 5pm when the crowds are thin at the fair, but nothing was finalised, he said.

Shyamal said they also discussed if the regular discount can be cut to 20 per cent.