Question : NATIONAL BOOK TRUST

(a) the role of the National Book Trust (NBT) in publication and distribution of books of the Indian languages and the main objective of setting up this trust by the Government;

(b) the steps taken by the trust for publication of books of the Indian language and distribution in the rural areas during the last three years;

(c) whether the National Book Trust participates in the book fairs organized abroad;

(d)if so, the justification thereof; and

(e)the amount spent by the trust on participation in the said fairs during the last three years and the achievements made thereby?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI JAYSINGRAO GAIKWAD PATIL)

(a) & (b) : The National Book Trust was set up by the Government with the objects, inter alia, of producing and making available good literature at moderate prices to the public, and of making the people book minded. The trust publishes general reading material for all segments of society and for all age groups, including children and post literacy reading material for neo-literates. The Trust has two series, namely, Books for Neo-literates and Rural Readers, in which the books are developed and published specifically in Indian languages for rural population. The regional offices of the Trust takes care of distribution of books in rural areas. Regional offices organize book fairs, participate in book fairs organized by local publishers and associations, send mobile vans for exhibitions and sale of books and appoint agents for the sale of books.

(c) & (d) Yes, Sir. With the object of promotion of Indian books abroad, the Trust arranges the participation of Indian publishers either directly or indirectly in international book fairs abroad.

(e) The amount spent by the Trust on participation in international book fairs abroad during the last three years approximately is as follows :-

1997-1998	:	Rs. 11.81 lakh	1998-1999	:	Rs. 11.12 lakh	1999-2000	:	Rs. 11.00 lakh