Budget on books: Publishers not delighted; GST, rising paper costs bigger concern for industry

The government's decision to levy 5 per cent customs duty on imported books has not found much favour with the publishing industry, which feels ease in claiming GST-related benefits and availability of cheaper paper would have rather helped Indian publishers. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had on Friday announced the duty hike on foreign-made books from nil to 5 per cent during her Budget spe…