Kathmandu, Aug. 1 -- Finance Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada came under a lot of flak in this year's budget for what many said was his short-sighted decision to impose ahefty tax on battery operated cars.This was not the first time he was ridiculed for an absurd decision: in last year's budget speech he announced a 10% customs duty on books.

In both cases, he has refused to budge. He said the tax on imported books was needed to protect the domestic printing industry. And he said people riding electric cars were rich enough to be taxed.

While some say they understand why there may be a case fortaxing luxury battery operated cars,it makes no sense to tax imported books.

Educators, students, publishers, booksellers and book lovers in Nepal are...