Publishers and traders of books have reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of a decision to change covers of those books meant for class VI and IX whose contents remain unchanged. The demand is quite reasonable because involved in it are crores of taka. According to the publishers' and traders’ samity, lakhs of copies oi 40 to 42 titles were printed last year and those books will remain unsold simply because of their covers. All have, however, agreed to change the covers of those books in which additions nave been made in the interest of projecting the true history of Muktijud-dha.

Now the publishers and traders have threatened to boycott the Ekushey book fair unless their demand is met. Neither the board authority nor the education ministry has so far made it public why there is need for a wholesale change of the covers. If there is a good reason behind the move, the publishers and traders cannot be blind to that. We understand that in the absence of a negotiated settlement of the issue beforehand they are now placed on a collision course. Tills is unacceptable.

So. we suggest that the board authority and the samity representatives sit together to find a solution satisfactory to both sides.

If it is absolutely necessary to change the covers of books, let it be done. But then the ministry must be ready to reimburse the loss — if not the whole of it at least a reasonable portion of the same. It will be better though, if the covers are not changed. But the decision has to be arrived at through negotiations and after an objective analysis of the matter.