COVID19: HC notice to Maharashtra government, Center on plea to include sale of books in essential services

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday (September 3) issued notices to the Center and the Maharashtra government on a writ petition seeking that the sale of books be included in the list of essential services in view of the COVID-19 safety related restrictions. State.

A single bench of the High Court headed by Justice KK Tate issued notice asking the governments to respond to a petition filed by Marathi Publishers Council, an association of Marathi book publishers based in Pune.

The petitioner’s organization, in its petition filed through advocates Asim Sarode, Ajinkya Udane, said that the ban on opening of book stores under the COVID-19 safety restrictions imposed in the state has adversely affected the book publishing industry.

While the availability of liquor was also considered during last year’s lockdown, why did the state and central government authorities not include the sale of books in the list of essential services, the petition asked.

The petitioner organization has demanded that the Central Government should include the sale of books in the list of essential services notified under the Essential Services Maintenance Act. It has also sought a direction to the Maharashtra government to look into other states like Kerala to allow the sale of books even amid pandemic-related restrictions, and make similar arrangements.

“Books should be declared as an integral part for exercising the right to life with human dignity and freedom of expression,” the petition said.

It further said that “the process of reading books reduces stress” and helps in achieving “better mental health”.

The High Court will hear the petition further next month.

(with agency input)

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