Parliament Question: Modern library facilities

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.660 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026 MODERN LIBRARY FACILITIES 660# SHRI RAJENDRA GEHLOT Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: a) the details of steps taken by Government to increase access to modern library facilities and promote a reading culture in Rajasthan; b) the number of central, district and rural libraries established or to be established in Rajasthan under the National Library Mission; c) the State-wise details of funds released or spent for the development and upgradation of these libraries during the last three years; and d) whether Government has any proposal to digitize libraries across the country and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) a) As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, libraries fall under the State subject in the Seventh Schedule, with public libraries functioning under the administrative control of the respective State or Union Territory authorities. However, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture has been providing financial assistance for development of public libraries across the country under its various approved Matching and Non- matching schemes which encompasses the purpose to enrich the knowledge resources of public library, procurement of library furniture, construction of library building, for establishment of children corner, knowledge corner and for creation of facilities for Divyangjan Readers and modernization of public library services by procuring computers, printers scanner, UPS, network equipments, system software, retro- conversion of books, development of web site etc. with active cooperation of the respective State / UT Library Authority to facilitate better public library services in the country including Rajasthan.Additionally, National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, under its “Up-gradation of existing libraries under the NML Model Library” component, provides financial assistance to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT, based on recommendations from the respective State authorities and subject to availability of State funds. This component focuses on four key areas: improvement of infrastructure, up-gradation 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. b) The Government of Rajasthan was sanctioned financial assistance for upgradation of Dr. Radhakrishnan Rajya Kendriya Pustakalaya, Jaipur and Rajakiya Sarvajanik Mandal Pustakalaya, Kota. c) The State-wise details of funds released by NML during the last three years and current year for the development and upgradation of libraries are at Annexure-A. d) No Sir. However, RRRLF has an approved scheme for Digitization of Copyright Free Manuscripts, Rare Books, Rare Documents, Old Journals, Record of History and Other Materials available in public libraries across the country.Annexure-A Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.660 for reply on 5th February, 2026 regarding “Modern library facilities”. State-wise details of funds released for the development and upgradation of libraries during the last three years and current year under NML. Sl. No. State/UT Amount released in Lakhs 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 (upto 02.02.2026) 1. Gujarat 0.00 87.00 0.00 0.00 2. Tripura 33.74 7.23 0.00 0.00 3. Bihar 0.00 17.71 50.00 0.00 4. Himachal Pradesh 59.67 0.00 95.00 128.00 5. Haryana 0.00 168.85 0.00 100.35 6. Chhattisgarh 0.00 14.05 37.00 0.00 7. Uttarakhand 25.00 25.00 0.00 0.00 8. Jammu & Kashmir 0.00 100.00 32.50 123.00 9. Kerala 18.77 3.79 0.00 0.00 10. Sikkim 0.00 76.08 227.70 0.00 11. Manipur 0.00 46.25 0.00 258.16 12. Meghalaya 0.00 0.00 100.00 210.00 13. Andaman & Nicobar 0.00 0.00 310.00 0.00 14. Lakshadweep 0.00 0.00 115.64 80.00 15. Chandigarh 0.00 0.00 247.22 0.00 16. Daman & Diu 0.00 0.00 0.00 310.00 Total 137.18 545.96 1215.06 1209.51 *****