 BOOK PROMOTION AND COPYRIGHT

We do not have exact statistics about the number of books brought out in the country. The only indication we have is the number of books received under the Delivery of Books Act. Since many publishers do not submit their publications, this figure needs to be doubled to arrive at something close to the reality. During 1993-94, the National Library had received 19,647 titles. out of these more than half-10,895-were in English and the rest in various Indian languages. In terms of numbers, the three most active Indian languages were Bangla, Hindi and Tamil. However, despite the small number of books received by the National Library in languages such as Kannada, Malayalam and Marathi, it is well-known that these languages are strong in publishing.

Literary works are the forte of Indian language publishing which lacks the variety of subjects covered by the Indian books in English. Even in the field of books for children only two languages--Bangla and Marathi--offer something comparable to the English books. The inability of most of the Indian languages to satisfy the varied interests of readers, coupled with the near non-existence of good bookshops, has created a situation of almost total dependence of publishers on the bulk purchase of books. Since the criteria of selection in such purchases is not always the quality of books, these have given rise to the indiscriminate

publication of books at excessively high prices.

At another level, low-priced paperback editions of popular reading material are brought out and sold through the book stalls at public places such as the railway stations and the bus stands. Generally being of indifferent quality, these do not satisfy the requirements of serious readers.

According to the readership surveys conducted by the National Book Trust, the main difficulties pointed out by the readers., with regard to the availability of quality reading material in Indian languages, were:

(i) limited range of subjects covered;

(ii) high prices; and

(iii) lack of good bookshops.

The situation with regard to the books in English is far better. Supported by the growing middle-class of professionals, the English- medium private schools, the institutes of higher learning, and increase in the demand of books abroad, the Indian publishers of English books are bringing out titles on a wide range of subjects and except for the books meant for institutional purchases, pricing them quite reasonably. In the sale of books they are helped by hundreds of booksellers in various cities and towns, who prefer to deal only in English books. However, though it is generally accepted that the English language publishing in India has improved a great deal in recent years, in terms of

the quality of edition, designing and production, our publications lag far behind the books published in Britain, USA and the other developed countries. The quality is also affected adversely because of the frequent and sharp increases in the price of paper which is often of unreliable quality.

One thing that is shared by publishers of all languages including English is the general ignorance of, and the lack of respect for, the copyright. There is need to step up efforts for disseminating information about the copyright not only for improving the author- publisher relations but also to ensure that maximum benefit accrues to the author from his/her intellectual property.

With the rapid advances in technology, the role of copyright industries in the national economy is growing more and more important. However, infringement of the copyright laws eat away a large chunk of the benefits that should rightfully accrue to the copyright owners. This adversely affects productivity and, thereby, ultimately the economic development of the country. While comprehensive copyright Act and Rules have been framed, the copyright enforcement machinery has not been strengthened adequately to face the challanges posed by new technologies, particularly digital technology. Not enough steps have also been taken to create proper awareness about copyright matters among the dealers and consumers of copyright material. Considering the stress being laid in international trade and commerce negotiations

on the protection of intellectual property rights, the country needs to develop expertise in international copyright matters and also professionalism in the management of copyright.

In view of the need to step up the publication of reasonably priced quality reading material, in English, Hindi and all other Indian languages included in the 8th Schedule of Constitution, on a variety of subjects and for different age-groups and to promote the habit of reading and create awareness about the copyright, it is recommended that the following on-going and new schemes may be continued/introduced.

I. BOOK PROMOTION

A. BOOK PROMOTION & COPYRIGHT DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Book Promotion & Copyright Division of the Department of Education is responsible for promoting the production of good quality books at reasonable prices, encouraging indigenous authorship, promoting reading habits, providing assistance to Indian book industry and for promotion of children's literature.

Ongoing Schemes

1. Assistance to voluntary/private organisations for organising seminars/training courses/workshops/ annual conventions, etc., with the objective of promoting books

This scheme of assistance to voluntary organisations was formulated in 1986 for providing-financial assistance, on adhoc basis, to organisations registered under the Societies

on the protection of intellectual property rights. the country needs to develop expertise in international copyright matters and also professionalism in the management of copyright.

I. BOOK PROMOTION

A. BOOK PROMOTION & COPYRIGHT DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Book Promotion & copyright Division of the Department of Education is responsible for promoting the production of good quality books at reasonable prices, encouraging indigenous authorship, promoting reading habits, providing assistance to Indian book industry and for promotion of children's literature.

Ongoing Schemes

1. Assistance to voluntary/private organisations for

organising seminars/training courses/workshops/ annual conventions, etc., with the objective of promoting books

This scheme of assistance to voluntary organisations was formulated in 1986 for providing financial assistance, on adhoc basis, to organisations registered under the Societies

Registration Act, 1860 (Act 21 of 1860) for any of the following purposes:

(a) seminars of Indian authors/publisliers/book sellers on subjects which have direct bearing on book promotion in India;

(b) training courses on subjects directly related to book promotion;

(d) research/survey connected with the book industry; and

(e) any other activity which may be found conducive to the development of book industry.

since organisations based in and around Delhi only have been taking maximum advantage of this scheme, it is proposed to popularise the scheme in other parts of the country so that associations working in various Indian languages could also organise seminars, workshops, etc.

During the VIIIth Five Year Plan, an outlay of Rs 30.00 lakhs was provided. Since the commencement of the VIIIth Plan, the expenditure at the end of financial year 1995-96 on the Scheme has been to the tune of Rs 10.82 lakhs. The main reason for the shortfall in the expenditure was the ban imposed by Ministry of Finance since 1990-91 and therefore, only a few organisations, were released grants, as special cases, in relaxation of Ministry of Finance orders. Subsequently, on the recommendations of Parliamentary

Standing Committee on Demands for Grants, ministry of Finance lifted the ban on 23.3.1994. For this purpose, an enhanced provision of RE, 40.00 lakhs will be needed during the IXth Plan period to meet the increase in expenditure under the Scheme.

        
        1997-98   1998-99   1999-2000      2000-2001      2001-2002    Total 
                                          
        
        8.00      8.00      8.00           8.00           8.00         40.00

2. National Book Development Council (NBDC)

The National Book Development Council (NBDC), an advisory forum representing authors, publishers, booksellers, librarians, etc., has been functioning under the Department of Education f or many years. The forum was first set up in 1967, then known as the National Book Development Board, and was reconstituted a number of times till 1990, when it was last reconstituted for three years. The proposal for reconstituting the Council was approved by the then Minister for Human Resource Development and its composition decided.

During the VIIIth Five Year Plan, a Budget Outlay of Rs 20.00 lakhs was provided under this Scheme towards the TA/DA etc. of the members. ThereforeF an enhanced plan provision would now be required during the IXth Five Year Plan period due to hike in these rates. The budget provision of Rs 40.00 lakhs would be required during the IXth Five Year Plan period to meet the expenditure.

        
        1997-98   1998-99   1999-2000      2000-2001      2001-2002     Total
                                          
        
        8.00      8.00      8.00           8.00           8.00          40.00

3. International Standard Book Numbering system (ISBN)

The International Standard Book Numbering System (ISBN) which is controlled by an agency based in Berlin, is a world recognised system for identifying books. The system also helps with the rationalization of many important functions such as stock control, accounting, ordering, etc. Therefore, ISBN is equally important for librarians, booksellers, and others who work with books. The National Agency for ISBN was established in 1985 as a part of the Book Promotion Division of the Department of Education, and it has since been making registration of Indian publishers under the ISBN system. The Agency has, however, not been able to achieve wide acceptance for the system, specially among Indian language publishers. It is, therefore, proposed to open a few regional centres with the objective of achieving total adoption of the ISBN system in the country.

For the above purposes a provision of Rs 50.00 lakhs is proposed in the IXth Five Year Plan period.

        
        1997-98   1998-99   1999-2000      2000-2001      2001-2002     Total 
                                          
        
        10.00     10.00     10.00          10.00          10.00         50.00

B. NATIONAL BOOK TRUST, INDIA

The National Book Trust, India (NBT) is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, established in 1957 to promote books and the habit of reading. The main objects

for which NBT was established are:

(a) to produce and to encourage the production of good literature, and to make such literature available at moderate prices to the public;

(b) in furtherance of the above objectives to publish more particularly books of the following types in English, Hindi and other languages recognised in the Constitution of India:

(i) the classical literature of India;

(ii) outstanding works of Indian authors in Indian languages and their translation from one Indian language to another;

(iii) translation of outstanding books from foreign languages;

(iv) outstanding books of modern knowledge for popular diffusion; and

(c) to bring out book lists, arrange exhibitions and seminars and take all necessary steps to make the people bookminded.

a. On-going schemes

1. Regional offices

NBT's regional offices at Bombay, Calcutta and Bangalore are essential for the sale and marketing of NBT publications. the main responsibility assigned to the regional offices is to maintain a close contact with the book trade and the government book buying agencies, and to supply books as per their requirements. the regional offices also promote books

by mailing catalogues and other publicity material to the educational institutions, public libraries, et., organising exhibitions, and participating in book fairs. It is because of the regional offices that NBT has been able to widen its sales network, and increase the sale of NBT publications particularly through the non-government channels. This is evident from the figures given below:

        
        
        
        
                                           1992-93    1993-94    1994-95    1995-96 
                                                (Amount Rs in lakhs)
        
        
        Agents, Distributors and           67             96      93            87
        Voluntary Agencies Enrolled
        
        Net sale of Books               144.67        186.30   189.33       246.78
        
        
        Sale through Non-               78.69        133.46    141.43       184.90
        government channels

The continuance of the Regional Offices is necessary because for improving the availability of its publications NBT is committed to cover all towns with population of more than 2 to 3 lakhs.

The total outlay for the 8th Plan period was Rs 1.60 crores. The requirement for the 9th Plan period would, however, be Rs 2.80 crores as per year-wise break-up given below:

        
        1997-98   1998-99   1999-2000      2001-2002      2002-2003    Total 
        
        45.00     50.00     55.00          60.00          70.00        280.00

2. Subsidy Scheme

The broad objectives of the Scheme for the Subsidised Publication of Books is to provide assistance to authors and

publishers for producing books of an acceptable standard at reasonable prices for students and teachers of Indian universities and technical institutes. The books may be in English, Hindi or in any other language listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, and may serve as textbooks, discipline-oriented supplementary reading material and reference books.

Only such books are subsidised under the scheme for which a definite need is felt and which relate to subject areas where books of an acceptable standard are either not available or are so highly priced to be beyond the means of the students.

The objective of this scheme has been expanded recently to include the publication of thought-provoking works of nonfiction, addressed to the general reader, on subjects relating to various fields of arts, humanities, social sciences, science, technology, medicine, etc., including dictionaries and encyclopaedias, in the Indian languages as recognised by the Constitution.

It has also been decided that NBT should be selective about accepting titles in English and should encourage publishers of Indian languages to derive the maximum benefits of the scheme.

To encouarge private publishers and non-government agencies bring out general reading works of science,

humanities and social science, it is proposed that, assistance nay also be offered by way of (i) grants to cover the cost of translation, and (ii) loans at a nominal interest towards the production of books.

The target for the 8th Plan period was 70 titles and the budget provision Rs. 0.70 crore. It is estimated that NBT will be able to subsidise 64 titles at the total expenditure of Rs. 0.458 crore only.

In view of the scarcity of text and reference material and thought-provoking works of non-fiction in Indian languages, it is felt necessary to continue the scheme during the next Plan period. It is estimated that for subsidising 250 titles, NBT would require Rs 2.50 crore only.

        
        1997-98   1998-99   1999-2000      2000-2001      2001-2002   Total 
                                          
        
        50.00     50.00     50.00          50.00          50.00       250.00

3. Core Book Project

Assistance to Indian authors is provided under this project for preparing medical books (text and reference material) for Indian universities. A number of such titles have been developed under this project which may not have been prepared by fndian authors if NBT's assistance and encouragement were not available. Some of these titles have even replaced foreign books as essential text and reference material for students of Indian medical colleges. However, there continues to be serious gaps in the publishing of

medical books. It is, therefore, proposed to continue this project during the next Plan period.

The 8th Plan target was to develop 12 manuscripts. NBT is likely to exceed this target. As against the approved outlay of Rs 0.06 crore, the total expenditure is likely to be Rs. 0.07 crore.

For the 9th Plan period, NBT would like to make a provision of Rs. 0.10 crore and develop 25 manuscripts.

        
        
        1997-98   1998-99   1999-2000      2000-2001      2001-2002      Total 
                                          
        
        0.02      0.02      0.02           0.02           0.02           0.10