Bengal Govt Forms 24-Member Advisory Committee For Kolkata Book Fair 2027

The West Bengal government on Wednesday announced the formation of a 24-member high-powered advisory committee to oversee the organisation of the annual Kolkata International Book Fair. The move will bring several organisations associated with publishing, culture and social service into the planning process, with the Publishers & Booksellers Guild continuing to have representation on the panel.

The 2027 Kolkata International Book Fair will be jointly organised by the Publishers & Booksellers Guild, the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) and the National Book Trust. The new advisory board will provide guidance on different aspects of the event, with the government aiming to broaden participation and address operational issues that have emerged in previous editions.

The committee includes representatives of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, National Book Trust, EZCC and the Publishers & Booksellers Guild. Among the prominent members are Swami Aryeshananda, who heads the publication department of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, and Swami Saraswatananda, who heads the publication department of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha.

Also Read: Bengal Govt To Review Utilisation Status Of Leasehold Land From Previous Trinamool Regime

The Publishers & Booksellers Guild has four representatives on the advisory committee — Devajyoti Dutta, Anil Acharya, Milind Dey and Rajkumar Burman. However, the Guild's current secretary Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay and president Sudhangshu Kumar Dey have not been included in the new panel. Both have been associated with the Guild's leadership during the previous administration.

A state government official said the committee had been constituted to ensure wider participation in the book fair and resolve operational issues that had emerged in the past. The panel may meet as frequently as required and can invite members of the Guild and other organisations involved in organising the fair to improve coordination. Sub-committees dealing with specific aspects of the event may also include advisory board members.

Journalist Prasenjit Bakshi has been appointed as the convener of the committee. The restructuring will change the organisational framework for the 2027 edition, with the Guild no longer having sole responsibility for the event. The involvement of the EZCC and National Book Trust, alongside cultural and social organisations, is expected to give the Kolkata International Book Fair a broader institutional structure.

Also Read: Satellite Analysis Reveals Possible Cause Of Nepal Flash Floods