Pokhara Mayor Urges Inventor Mahabir Pun to Cease Selling Books on Streets, Citing Traffic and Legal Concerns

Pokhara. The Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, Dhanraj Acharya, has drawn attention to the issue of Mahabir Pun, founder of the National Innovation Center and newly elected Member of Parliament, selling books on streets and squares to fund his campaign. Mayor Acharya suggested that selling books in this manner without permission affects traffic management and is against the law, proposing that sales be conducted through the Federation of Book Traders instead.

Acharya highly praised Pun's dedication to the nation and society, his innovation campaign, and his simplicity. However, the Mayor stated that a respected figure standing on the street selling books could lead to unnecessary questioning and that it does not suit his stature.

"It is not appropriate to create unnecessary controversy when the same rule applied to you, which is used by the municipal police to request small businesses operating on the footpath to move according to regulations," Mayor Acharya said. He reminded that the sale and distribution of any item without registration and necessary permits could also be legally complicated.

Mayor Acharya invited Pun to Pokhara and presented an alternative: selling books through the network of approximately 18,000 book traders across the country. 

"Your role is to formulate policies and laws for the country, and our role is to sell and distribute books," the Mayor stated. "If you provide us with the stock of your books, we can facilitate the sale through the Federation and ensure you receive appropriate payment." He expressed confidence that this approach would make the campaign more organized and effective.