Following the suspension of the ‘Book Packet’ (registered parcel) service by India Post in December 2024, which has caused much inconvenience to several regional publishers, Manasa, Chairman of the Karnataka Book Authority (KBA) has written to Jyotiraditya. M. Scindia, Union Minister of Communications, seeking reinstatement of the service.
With the Book Packet service, independent publishers spend a nominal cost on postage while the Registered Post option, which they are now required to use, costs almost 50% more than the former. These changes were made to the Post Office Act, 2023, which replaced the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
“The Postal Department had been following the process of sending printed books through registered parcel for a long time till now which was a very economical way for publishers to send their printed books to readers. It would cut down their major overhead costs and as a result, they could save on their production expenditure. Ever since a decision to stop this service has been taken, the publishers are forced to spend considerable money to send a parcel which is huge when compared with the manufacturing unit cost of the book itself. The publishers can’t rely on private courier services for a variety of reasons,” Mr. Manasa said in his letter.
He further said, “I, on behalf of all publishers in Karnataka, request you to reconsider the decision and reinstate the earlier mode of sending books through registered parcel. The decision would surely help the ailing publishing industry to a large extent.”
Published - February 11, 2025 07:37 pm IST
