Independent publishers in Karnataka unhappy as India Post stops ‘Book Packet’ service

Although private courier options are now available and the prices are almost on par with India Post, their limited reach and lack of proper tracking services keep publishers away from choosing them.

Nithesh Kuntady, an independent book publisher from Bengaluru visited a post office in his neighbourhood last week to use India Post’s ‘Book Packet’ service (used to send books across the country). But he was shocked on being informed that the service had been abruptly stopped, and he had to ‘Registered Post’ the book instead. 

As on December 18, India Post decided to withdraw its long-term Book Packet service, which had helped many independent book publishers send books to their customers with its nominal postage charge. With the alternative options costing almost 50% more than the Book Packet service, publishers in Karnataka are worried if their customers will be okay with the added postage charges. 

“With the Book Packet service, we could send a 200-page book for around ₹20 -25 anywhere across India. Even if the weight of the book was more, the price would increase only nominally, and we never had to shell out more than ₹30 to post them. But now, we have to look at other options like Speed Post or Registered Post,” said Mr. Kuntady.  

While Speed Post works out better for publishers within a radius of 200 kilometres (around ₹36 - ₹37), it becomes expensive when it has to go beyond 200 kilometres. This is when the publishers choose Registered Post, which costs around ₹45. “The weight wise jump in both Speed and Registered post is too much. So far, we have been taking shipping charges of ₹30 from customers, as we did not have to wrap our books. Now, as we must wrap the books and then pay more for shipping, we will have to charge ₹50 from customers as shipping charge. As we do not know if customers are willing to pay this extra charge, this move can potentially affect knowledge distribution,” Mr. Kuntady said. 

These changes in postal services are due to the Post Office Act, 2023 which replaced the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. The new Act came into effect on June 18.

“The Book Packet service has been merged with Book Registered Post in accordance with the new regulations. It is a matter of consolidation. We know that customers are not fully aware of this yet. We will publicise it through social media and other channels of communication,” Chief Post Master General (CPMG), Karnataka Circle, S. Rajendra Kumar told The Hindu. He said that the concession offered on posting periodicals continues. 

Within Karnataka, independent publishers usually get their orders from north Karnataka districts, like Belagavi, Vijayapura and Ballari, along with rural areas in other districts. Although private courier options are now available and the prices are almost on par with India Post, their limited reach and lack of proper tracking services keep publishers away from choosing them.