About 600 bookstalls are likely to be set up during the 81st Kannada Sahitya Sammelan to be held at Shravanabelagola in Channarayapatna taluk from February 1.
Earlier, the Kannada Sahitya Parishat had thought that about 400 stalls would be enough. Considering the increasing demand for stalls, the number has been increased to 600.
Besides, 100 more stalls for selling CDs, DVDs, stationery items and magazines, will come up.
“Altogether, 700 stalls are expected to be set up for the sammelan. We have made arrangements for dust-free book exhibition and sales,” said N.R. Purushottama, District Social Welfare Officer and chairperson of the committee formed to take care of the bookstalls. Booksellers were invited to take part in the exhibition-cum-sale by paying Rs. 2,000 each. As many as 550 sellers have responded to it till January 15, the last date to register names. Another 50 stalls meant for universities and government departments will be set up. “Stalls selling CDs, DVDs and other items have been categorised as commercial and a rental of Rs. 3,000 each has been fixed for them,” he said.
The Hassan district administration has decided to install closed-circuit television cameras at strategic points of the venue of the book exhibition.
Every day, the volunteers would visit each stall and collect information about the sales. The statistics so collected would be displayed on a board to be fixed at the entrance, Mr. Purushottama said.
