In a move to modernise the distribution of government publications and expand their reach, the Maharashtra government has decided to launch an online platform for the sale of official publications and other printed materials produced by the Government Printing Press.
The Industries Department, which oversees the Government Printing Press, has approved the development of an online bookstore and counter-sale application along with a dedicated portal—mahapublications.maharashtra.gov.in—to enable departments and the public to purchase government publications digitally.
Until now, government departments had to visit the Government Printing Press in person to purchase receipt books, stationery and other official publications through cash payments. The process was time-consuming and cumbersome.
With the expansion of digital services and the postal network, the state has opted to shift to an online sales model. As part of the pilot phase, the facility will initially be available only at the Government Printing Press in Mumbai. Along with counter sales, publications will be displayed and sold through the online platform. The model will later be replicated at other printing centres after the successful completion of the trial.
For now, the Nagpur Government Printing Press will continue with counter and exhibition sales, while the online facility has not yet been introduced there.
The web application is being developed by MahaIT Corporation, which has also been directed to deploy two computer operators round the clock at the Government Printing Press to support the online system.
Under the new arrangement, customers purchasing publications online will have to bear the actual postal charges for delivery. The ordered material will be dispatched through India Post by the Directorate of Government Library, Mumbai.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com