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GHMC collects 100 cr, spends only 1.8 cr for maintain libraries in Hyd
Is Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has been diverting the library funds? According to Hyderabad Grandhalaya Samstha which has been maintaining city libraries, the civic body has not been releasing the funds since November last and this has adversely affected the maintenance of the libraries in city.
Hyderabad: Is Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has been diverting the library funds? According to Hyderabad Grandhalaya Samstha which has been maintaining city libraries, the civic body has not been releasing the funds since November last and this has adversely affected the maintenance of the libraries in city.
Library authorities allege that the corporation has not been releasing funds, resulting in delay in payment of salaries, lack of facilities and other problems
The officials of Grandhalaya Samstha said the civic body had been collecting Rs 100 crore as library cess but spending mere Rs 1.8 crore annually. They also alleged that the corporation had not been releasing the funds to maintain them since November last year.
The GHMC collects 8 per cent as library cess on the property tax. The civic body, during the last three financial years, has collected over Rs 1,100 crore as property tax from but what it gave towards maintenance of 86 libraries was a mere Rs 15 lakh. This has been resulting in delay in payment of salaries, lack of facilities and other problems for the Hyderabad Grandhalaya Samstha.
A senior official of the Samstha, on condition of anonymity, said due to negligence of the civic body, the condition of city libraries had turned from bad to worse. He said due to lack of funds, several libraries had now turned as book deposit entres. Adding to the woes, 13 libraries out of total 86 have been operating in rented buildings.
He also said six libraries had been dysfunctional for a few months due to lack of funds. Interestingly, he said a library in Chintal Basthi had been taken over by the police deployed from districts. They have been using the library as shelter for them. The official further said out 258 librarian posts, 163 posts had been lying vacant for several years.
He said off late the GHMC had been making tall claims to set up 500 e-libraries but so far it could not create more than 10 e-libraries. He demanded that the government come to the rescue of city libraries and make Hyderabad Grandhalaya Samstha an autonomous organisation in the larger public interest. When tried to reach, the GHMC officials refused to respond.
