KATHMANDU, July 29: The state-owned Janak Education Material Center (JEMC) and private publishers have proposed to almost double the rate of book printing cost for school textbooks.
In a meeting held at the Curriculum Development Center on Thursday, the representatives from the JEMC and private publishers proposed that the cost of book printing be increased nearly twice the current rate, according to CDC officials.
The JEMC and private publishers publish government prescribed books for both public and private schools.
The present rate of book printing is 30 paisa per page for single color. The JEMC, which has been printing the books at the cost of 30 paisa per page, proposed 57 paisa per page for single color for 5,000 copies and 54 paisa per page for more than 5,000 copies.
Likewise, they have sought 65 paisa per page for two colors and 78 paisa per page for multi-color books, according to the sources.
The private publishers have proposed 80 paisa per page for single color, Rs 1.00 per page for two colors, and Rs 1.25 per page for multi-color books.
Five years ago, the price determining committee had fixed 36 paisa per page for printing textbooks. However, it could not be implemented due to widespread objection from the stakeholders.
Sarita Aryal, member of the price determining technical sub-committee, said that they objected to the proposal floated by the JEMC and private publishers. “We asked the JEMC and private publishers to provide reasons for increasing the cost of printing books two times the current rate. However, they could provide no justification and sought time until Monday to present their case,” she added.
“We suggested them to implement the 36 paisa per page plan approved five years ago instead of proposing a new rate,” Aryal said.
The next meeting for determining the cost of printing textbooks will be held on Monday.
Meeting to fix textbook printing fees put on hold
