Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Culture addresses Lok Sabha Question No. 4081 regarding library development under the National Mission on Libraries (NML). The NML provides financial assistance for upgrading existing State Central Libraries and District Libraries. The scheme focuses on infrastructure, technology, accessibility, and reading resources.
Key Points / Main Content:
National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme:
* Libraries are under the State List according to Article 246 of the Constitution of India.
* The Ministry of Culture implements the NML Scheme, offering financial aid to upgrade existing libraries.
* Assistance is provided to one State Central Library and one District Library per State/UT, based on State recommendations and fund availability, in addition to six libraries identified by the Ministry.
* The NML scheme focuses on:
* Infrastructure improvement
* Technology upgrades and service modernization
* Facilities for the specially-abled
* Procurement of reading resources.
* Advocacy and outreach programs.
Financial Assistance:
* Financial assistance is available for upgrading one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT.
* The Government of Bihar submitted proposals for District Central Libraries in Jamui and Hajipur, Vaishali, which were approved.
* Specific financial assistance provided:
* District Central Library, Jamui (2018-19): Sanctioned ₹81.41 lakhs, Released ₹62.21 lakhs.
* District Central Library, Hajipur, Vaishali (2023-24): Sanctioned ₹87.00 lakhs, Released ₹50.00 lakhs.
* Annexure I provides State/UT-wise fund allocation and utilization details.
Impact Analysis:
State and Union Territory Authorities:
* Impact: Responsible for the administrative control of public libraries and recommending libraries for NML assistance.
* Action Required: Submit proposals for the upgradation of State Central Libraries and District Libraries, and ensure the availability of State funds.
Libraries:
* Impact: Potential recipients of financial assistance for infrastructure upgrades, technology modernization, and resource procurement.
* Action Required: Utilize provided funds for the designated improvements and participate in advocacy and outreach programs.
Ministry of Culture:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the NML scheme and providing financial assistance.
* Action Required: Review and approve proposals from State/UT governments, allocate funds, and monitor the utilization of funds.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Libraries: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture to provide financial assistance for the upgradation of existing libraries.
Ministry of Culture: The government ministry responsible for implementing the National Mission on Libraries scheme.
Darbhanga, Bihar: A city in Bihar where the development of libraries is being discussed in the Lok Sabha question.
Lalit Narayan Mithila University: A university in Darbhanga, Bihar where the Central Library is located.
Constitution of India: The supreme law of India, which assigns libraries to the State List in the Seventh Schedule.
Jamui, Bihar: A district in Bihar where the District Central Library received financial assistance for upgradation.
Vaishali, Bihar: A district in Bihar, specifically Hajipur Vaishali, where the District Central Library received financial assistance for upgradation.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where a question was raised regarding the development of libraries.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†4081
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARIES IN DARBHANGA
†4081. SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
a) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote libraries, State/UT-wise;
b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote libraries, State/UT-wise;
c) the number of central and district level libraries set up and promoted under the
National Mission on Libraries;
d) the details of the funds allocated and utilized under this scheme;
e) whether the Government proposes to develop the Central Library situated in the
Lalit Narayan Mithila University camps in Darbhanga and the Laxmeshwar Singh
Library situated in Lalbagh, Darbhanga under the said Scheme; and
f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c) As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, libraries fall under the State List in
the Seventh Schedule, with public libraries functioning under the administrative control of
the respective State or Union Territory authorities.
The Ministry of Culture implements the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, under
which financial assistance is provided for the Up-gradation of Existing Libraries under the
NML Model Library component. Under this component, assistance is extended to one State
Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT—based on recommendations from
the respective State authorities and subject to the availability of State funds—in addition to
six libraries identified by the Ministry. The component focuses on four key areas:improvement of infrastructure; upgradation of technology and modernization of services;
creation of facilities for specially-abled groups; and procurement of reading resources to meet
local needs, along with advocacy and outreach programmes.
The details of financial assistance provided to State Central and District Libraries are placed
at Annexure-I.
(d) & (e) As per the guidelines of the National Mission on Libraries (NML), financial
assistance is admissible for the upgradation of one State Central Library and one District
Library in each State/UT. Accordingly, the Government of Bihar submitted proposals for the
upgradation of the District Central Library, Jamui, and the District Central Library, Hajipur
(Vaishali). Both proposals were found eligible as per NML norms, and financial assistance
has been sanctioned for their upgradation.
The details of assistance provided to the sanctioned libraries are given below: -
Sl. Name of Sanctione Amount Amount
No. the Lib. d year sanctioned Released (in
(in lakhs) lakhs)
1. District 2018-19 81.41 62.21
Central
Library,
Jamui
2. District 2023-24 87.00 50.00
Central
Library,
Hajipur,
VaishaliAnnexure-I
Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.4081 for reply
on 18th August, 2025 regarding Development of Libraries in Darbhanga.
State/ UT wise fund allocation and utilization details
(Amt. In Lakh)
Sl. State Name of the Library Sanction Amount Amount Total
Year Allocated Released Utilized
(in lakh) (in lakh) (in lakh)
Arunachal State Central Library, 2014-15 223.00 219.71 219.71
1 Pradesh Itanagar
Arunachal District Library, 2014-15 87.00 84.90 84.90
2 Pradesh Phasighat
Goa Dr. Francisco Luis 2014-15 87.00 3.38 3.38
3 Gomes District Library
Goa Krishnadas Shama State 2014-15 223.00 21.68 21.68
4 Central Library
Mizoram State Central Library, 2014-15 141.24 137.04 137.04
5 Aizwal
6 Mizoram District Library, Kolasib 2014-15 50.00 50.00 50.00
Rajasthan Dr. Radhakrishnan 2014-15 183.51 94.81 94.81
Rajya Kendriya
7 Pustakalaya, Jaipur
Rajasthan Rajakiya Sarvajanik 2016-17 63.46 63.21 63.21
Mandal Pustakalaya,
8 Kota
Telangana District Central Library, 2014-15 52.00 50.00 50.00
9 Mahabubnagar
Telangana State Central Library, 2014-15 112.25 103.72 103.72
10 Hyderabad
Uttar Pradesh State Central Library, 2014-15 206.00 203.75 203.75
11 Allahabad
Uttar Pradesh Government District 2014-15 87.00 85.93 85.93
12 Library, Etawah
West Bengal West Bengal State 2014-15 222.81 219.82 219.82
13 Central Library
West Bengal North Bengal State 2014-15 86.98 79.73 79.73
14 Library, Coochbehar
Gujarat State Central Library, 2014-15 104.04 101.00 101.00
Gandhinagar Revised
15 2017-18
Gujarat Government District 2022-23 87.00 87.00 87.00
Library, Bhavnagar,
16 Gujarat
Assam District Library, Jorhat 2016-17 40.00 39.99 39.99
17 (1)
Assam District Library, 2016-17 70.00 69.59 69.59
18Guwahati (2)
Madhya Govt. District Library, 2016-17 73.20 65.59 65.59
19 Pradesh Khandwa
Madhya Govt. Shri Ahilya 2017-18 87.00 43.67 43.67
20 Pradesh Central Library, Indore
Maharashtra District Library, 2016-17 21.90 18.43 18.43
21 Nandurbar
Maharashtra Govt. Divisional 2017-18 60.55 57.21 57.21
22 Library, Aurangabad
Nagaland State Central Library, 2016-17 177.49 175.48 175.48
23 Kohima
Nagaland District Library, 2016-17 73.81 69.75 69.75
24 Dimapur
Tamil Nadu District Library, 2016-17 70.00 68.16 68.16
25 Tiruchirapalli
Tamil Nadu District Library, Vellore 2016-17 87.00 79.27 79.27
26
Karnataka State Central Library, 2014-15 223.00 200.00 200.00
27 Bangalore
Karnataka District Central Library, 2014-15 87.00 79.26 79.26
28 Shimoga
Tripura Birchandra State Central 2014-15 223.00 222.93 222.93
29 Library
30 Tripura Unakoti District Library 2014-15 87.00 86.92 86.92
Kerala State Central Library, 2015-16 116.61 116.61 116.61
31 Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala State Public Library 2021-22 37.50 22.55 22.55
32 Research Centre
Pondicherry Romain Rolland Library, 2016-17 166.47 142.37 142.37
33 State Central Library
Pondicherry Dr. S. R. Ranganathan 2016-17 76.04 66.17 66.17
Government Public
34 Library, Karaikal
Bihar District Central Library, 2018-19 81.41 62.21 62.21
35 Jamui
Bihar District Central Library, 2023-24 87.00 50.00 50.00
36 Hajipur, Vaishali
Himachal Government District 2018-19 86.87 74.66 74.66
37 Pradesh Library, Bilaspur
Himachal Central State Library, 2022-23 223.00 223.00 95.00
38 Pradesh Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Haryana State Central Library, 2021-22 223.00 223.00 223.00
39 Ambala Cantt.
Haryana District Library, Narnaul 2021-22 84.00 46.20 46.20
40
41 Chhattisgarh District Library, Raigarh 2014-15 87.00 78.32 78.32
Odisha H.K.M.State Library, 2014-15 223.00 133.00 133.00
42 Bhubaneswar
Odisha District Library, 2014-15 40.36 0.00 0.00
43 GanajamUttarakhand Government District 2018-19 86.20 50.00 50.00
Library, Suman
44 Pustakalaya, New Tehri
Jammu & Gani Memorial U.T 2021-22 223.00 223.00 223.00
45 Kashmir Central Library, Srinagar
Jammu & District Library, Samba 2021-22 32.50 32.50 32.50
46 Kashmir
Sikkim Sikkim State Central 2021-22 217.20 217.20 217.20
47 Library, Gangtok
48 Sikkim District Library, Mangan 2021-22 86.58 86.58 86.58
Manipur State Central Library, 2022-23 218.87 218.87 218.87
49 Imphal Revised
Manipur District Library, 2022-23 85.53 85.53 85.53
50 Senapati Revised
Meghalaya State Central Library, 2023-24 223.00 100.00 100.00
51 Shillong
Meghalaya District Library, Tura 2023-24 87.00 0.00 0.00
52
Lakshadweep State Central Library, 2023-24 168.00 88.00 88.00
53 Kavaratti
54 Lakshadweep District Library, Kadmat 2023-24 27.64 27.64 27.64
Chandigarh T.S. State Central 2023-24 164.50 164.50 164.50
55 Library
Chandigarh Divisional Library, 2023-24 82.72 82.72 82.72
56 South
A&N Island State Central Library, 2023-24 223.00 223.00 223.00
57 Port Blair
A&N Island District Library, Car 2023-24 87.00 87.00 87.00
58 nicobar
Daman & Central Library, Daman 2023-24 223.00 0.00 0.00
59 Diu
Daman & District Library, Diu 2023-24 87.00 0.00 0.00
60 Diu
Jharkhand State Central Library, 2023-24 223.00 0.00 0.00
61 Dhanbad
Jharkhand District Library, 2023-24 87.00 0.00 0.00
62 Palamau
Punjab MM Central State 2022-23 223.00 0.00 0.00
63 Library, Patiala
Punjab Gurunanak District 2022-23 87.00 0.00 0.00
64 Library, Kapurthala
7872.24 5806.56 5678.56