Membership hassle mars fair, publishers seek transparency

AMONG the thousands of books at display at Neelam Publications’ bustling stall at the 48th annual Chennai book fair that ended on Sunday stands their monthly, its latest issue carrying a stinging editorial alleging lack of transparency in granting membership by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (Bapasi) — the organisers of the fair.

- S GURUVANMIKANATHAN / SUBASHINI VIJAYAKUMAR @Chennai

Many emerging publishers complained that Bapasi’s criteria for granting membership have remained a "mystery".

Non-Bapasi members, comparatively, are charged much higher to set up stalls at the venue. Neelam Publications editor Vasugi Bhaskar said, "This year, since we were asked to pay ₹3.5 lakh for four stalls, we decided to take only two, but managing the crowd has become difficult. The members, however, pay only around ₹1 lakh for four stalls."