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Grandhalaya Samstha in dire straits
Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha (ZGS) is plagued with several problems like lack of own buildings, staff vacancies, and pending cess arrears from panchayats while it is celebrating its golden jubilee year as part of the National Library Week. The ZGS should get 8 per cent as library cess from the local bodies out of the taxes they are collecting from people.
Tirupati: Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha (ZGS) is plagued with several problems like lack of own buildings, staff vacancies, and pending cess arrears from panchayats while it is celebrating its golden jubilee year as part of the National Library Week. The ZGS should get 8 per cent as library cess from the local bodies out of the taxes they are collecting from people.
Though, the local bodies were collecting taxes but they are not paying the cess to ZGS. The arrears from local bodies were to the tune of about Rs 10 crore is pending to ZGS. Chittoor Municipal Corporation has to pay Rs 1 crore and Madanapalle municipality is Rs 45 lakh due. There were 71 branch libraries comprising of three grades in the district and 161 book deposit centres. ZGS has built a modern library building with an outlay of
`1.25 crore.
Its completion was delayed by almost one year as grade-1 library should not spend beyond Rs 1 crore. After government issued a special GO, only the works were resumed and completed. Now, it is waiting for inauguration. It has a big reference section which will be useful as a study centre.
Students appearing for competitive examinations will be benefitted with new building as it has internet centre with wi-fi facility, a photostat machine and a printer. Very nominal charges will be collected for the use of internet facility in the library. Another proposal that was pending for many days is the establishment of libraries in municipal corporation parks.
They could not even implement the mobile library as promised earlier for want of a driver. The authorities were looking for a regular driver from the government. ZGS Chairman T Kannaiah Naidu has said that the newly constructed modern library building will have all amenities and will emerge as a knowledge centre.
Speaking to The Hans India, he said once it is inaugurated everything will be provided in it within no time. He added that they have represented TUDA authorities to provide a room in Prakasam Park and Babu Jagjivanram Park to establish mini libraries for the visitors. “Recently, I spoke to TUDA Chairman G Narasimha Yadav on this issue and he responded positively.
Once they provide the rooms, we will establish libraries,” he said. Though they have planned to establish 200 village libraries in the district, they could not do so as there was no demand. If the villagers come forward and provide a room and other amenities, libraries can be established. Due to a court case, vacancies could not be filled, he explained.
Meanwhile, several programmes were being held during the golden jubilee celebrations for students, teachers and even to readers. The competitions will be held at mandal, district and state levels. Also, book exhibitions, Kavi Sammelanam, and Mahila Dinotsavam were planned during this week, said librarian D Janardhan working at Tirupati.
By V Pradeep Kumar
