The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Library cess funds not being released’

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‘Library cess funds not being released’

Special Correspondent

BAngalore: Historian and chairperson of the Book Selection Committee of the Department of Public Libraries S. Settar has criticised the Government for “not releasing” funds collected as library cess, and wondered why writers and publishers have not protested against this.

He was speaking at “Jnana Peethkke Namana,” a seminar organised by the Department of Public Libraries here on Saturday.

The Government had been collecting library cess and remaining silent over its responsibility of releasing it for developing libraries.

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike had not released an estimated Rs. 37 crore and other local bodies were yet to release an estimated Rs. 11 crore, he alleged.

It was good that Jnanpith Award-winner U.R. Ananthamurthy had brought the issue to the notice of Governor Rameshwar Thakur, he said.

Prof. Settar said that the State’s libraries could purchase only 300 copies of 2,750 titles published during the last fiscal.

Dr. Ananthamurthy suggested that earmarking space for a park for senior citizens, a book shop and a library should be made mandatory in layouts in urban and semi-urban areas.

The attitude of the public towards literature and their response to writers would form a supporting system for the evolution and sustenance of quality writing, Dr. Ananthamurthy said.

G. Venkatasubbaiah, lexicographer, said that it was wrong to think that only books that had bagged awards were superior.

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