Imphal, December 15: The week-long 14th Imphal Book Fair was inaugurated today at the premises of State Central Library�s new building complex by art and culture minister Pheiroijam Parijat as the chief guest.

The fair is being participated by 36 book firms in- cluding 17 from outside the State.

The book firms are offering a discount of 10 percent on purchase of every copy.

In his address, Ph Parijat pledged to speed up the renovation and restoration work of State Central Library which was burnt down in April this year during the Meetei Mayek agitation.

Observing that authors and writers and their writings are the main driving force for any social change or social upliftment, the minister called upon the people to encourage writers in all aspects.

He further mentioned that the ongoing fair, jointly organised by Department of Art and Culture and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Foundation is not upto the mark because of paucity of fund.

Nevertheless, Parijat assured to organise such fairs in a grand and more fulfilling manner from the next year by increasing number of stalls and appropriate decorations and accessories.

While addressing as the president of the inaugural function, Commissioner of Art and Culture P Bharat informed that the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Foundation, Kolkata has come forward to bear 90 percent of the expense that may be incurred in the restoration of the State Central Library while the State Government has to afford 10 percent of the total amount.

Meanwhile, the State has increased its allotted plan amount to Rs eight lakhs to this effect.

The Commissioner stated that a children's reference section of the library would be constructed at the previous site of the Central Library for which a proposal has been submitted to the Centre for a grant of Rs one crore.

Director of Art and Culture, Kh Sarojini and chief librarian of the Central Library, H Debendra also spoke in the inaugural function.

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