Visakhapatnam: Coinciding with the commencement of National Library Week celebrations on Thursday, the 64 public libraries in Visakhapatnam district will organise several programmes in a grand manner.
But the reality is that they are starved of funds, despite the local bodies in the district collecting a library cess of eight paise per rupee of house and property tax paid by the citizens.
As per the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act of 1960, local bodies should transfer the library cess collected to Zilla Grandhalaya Samsthas. However, whether corporations, municipalities or other civic bodies, they have fallen behind in making these payments.
Former chairman of the Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha, Konda Rajiv Gandhi points out: “The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) alone owed Rs 117 crore in 2023.” Other municipalities and panchayats in Vizag district are due amounts ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 18 crore. Payments from Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) and AP Special Economic Zone are also outstanding.
Rajiv says despite following up with GVMC and other local bodies, amounts required for developing the libraries have remained due. This has had significant repercussions on the functionality and quality of library services.
Significantly, even for celebrating the National Library Week from November 14 to November 20, libraries are dependent on the district administration for funds.
The combined Visakhapatnam district has 64 libraries – 16 in Visakhapatnam, 35 in Anakapalle district and 13 in Alluri Sitarama Raju district.
For celebrating the National Library Week, the previous government had allocated funds as follows: Rs 35,000 to the District Central Library, Rs 15,000 to grade one libraries, Rs 13,000 to grade two libraries and between Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 to other libraries.
“Proposals for funding this year's National Library Week celebrations have been sent to the government. We hope to receive a response soon,” said R.C.H. Venkata Rao, secretary of the Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha, in an interview with Deccan Chronicle.
The current chairman of the Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha, Vizag district, is joint collector Mayur Ashok. He is optimistic about the funds.
District collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad will inaugurate the National Library Week festivities on Thursday. Events during the week include Children's Day on November 14, book exhibitions, librarians' conferences, poets' gatherings and competitions for students.
Gfx:
Visakhapatnam district has 64 libraries
16 in Visakhapatnam,
35 in Anakapalle district
13 in Alluri Sitarama Raju district.
As per the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act of 1960, local bodies should transfer the library cess collected to Zilla Grandhalaya Samsthas. However, whether corporations, municipalities or other civic bodies, they have fallen behind in making these payments.
Vizag to celebrate National Library Week from November 14 to November 20, libraries are dependent on the district administration for funds.
