Inspection finds 37 libraries not fit for grant from govt

As many as 37 government-aided libraries in the district have been declared not fit for government aid after an inspection by the district administration.

According to final statistics available with the district administration, of the total 605 libraries in the district, 595 were surveyed of which 556 were declared eligible, one has been downgraded and 442 have filled up their details on the website.
According to deputy collector Ravindra Kulkarni, the parameters centred around whether the libraries were functioning as per the rules.
The libraries, categorised as ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ by the state, were found flouting government norms regarding daily operation, maintenance of accounts, membership and number. The libraries are given annual grants to the tune of Rs 20,000 to Rs 4 lakh for their development as per their grades while they are also given building funds of up to Rs 75,000 for any repairs that need to be carried out.
With the government planning to increase funding, all districts were asked to carry out the inspection to check for the merit of funds to be allotted to these libraries.
The drive found that libraries were opened only to receive funds, while some libraries were only on paper. Kulkarni said the report will be sent to the state government and further action will be taken accordingly.
In Pune city, of the total 66 libraries, 55 libraries were inspected. Of these 53 were declared valid while two - Santoshi Granthalaya in Karvenagar and Adarsh Vachanalay in Ghorpadi - were found flouting norms.

During the inspection, one library in Khed taluka was demoted to a lower category. Kulkarni said that among the libraries found ineligible included 14 in Haveli taluka (the highest in the district), four in Shirur, three in Velhe, Junnar and two each in Indapur and Khed while four were declared as invalid in Daund taluka in the district.

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