**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer provided by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to Unstarred Question No. 16 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on December 1, 2025. The question concerns the National Mission on Libraries and the measures taken to improve library facilities, particularly in Maharashtra and Nashik district. The Minister states that libraries are a State subject, but the Ministry of Culture implements the National Mission on Libraries Scheme to upgrade existing libraries, with financial assistance provided based on State recommendations and fund availability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Constitutional Provision:** Libraries fall under the State subject as per Article 246 of the Constitution of India.
* **National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme:**
* The Ministry of Culture implements the NML scheme to upgrade existing libraries.
* Financial assistance is provided under the "Up-gradation of existing libraries under the NML Model Library" 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.
* The scheme focuses on:
* Improvement of infrastructure
* Up-gradation of technology and modernization of services
* Creation of facilities for specially-abled groups
* Procurement of reading resources
* **Financial Assistance to Maharashtra:** The Government of Maharashtra was sanctioned financial assistance for upgradation of Government District Library, Nandurbar and Government Divisional Library, Aurangabad.
* District Library, Nandurbar: Amount Sanctioned - 21.90 Lakhs and Amount Released - 18.43 Lakhs
* Govt. Divisional Library, Aurangabad: Amount Sanctioned - 60.55 Lakhs and Amount Released - 57.21 Lakhs
* **Community Libraries in Nashik:** The government has no proposal to expand community libraries in tribal or remote areas of Nashik.
* **Digitization of Libraries:**
* Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata, has an approved Matching Scheme for digitization of Copyright Free Manuscripts, Rare Books, Rare Documents, Old Journals, Record of History, and Other Materials.
* RRRLF releases financial assistance to States/UTs after receiving applications.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments and Union Territories**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the administration and control of public libraries within their jurisdiction. Need to propose libraries for upgrade under the NML scheme.
* **Action Required:** To submit proposals for upgrading State Central Libraries and District Libraries under the NML scheme, and to apply to RRRLF for digitization assistance.
**Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing financial assistance for digitization projects.
* **Action Required:** Review applications from States/UTs for digitization projects and release financial assistance.
**Libraries**
* **Impact:** Eligible for potential upgrades and digitization assistance.
* **Action Required:** Prepare proposals for upgrading their facilities and apply for digitization assistance through their respective State/UT governments.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Libraries: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture to provide financial assistance for the upgradation of libraries.
Ministry of Culture: The primary government body responsible for implementing the National Mission on Libraries.
Maharashtra: The state specifically mentioned for expanding library access and where projects under the National Mission on Libraries are being planned.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata: An autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture providing financial assistance for digitization of library materials.
Article 246 of the Constitution of India: Constitutional article stating that libraries fall under the State subject.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No.16
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
NATIONAL MISSION ON LIBRARIES
16. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:
SHRI RAJESH NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
a) the details of the specific steps taken/being taken by the Government to expand access
to modern library facilities and promote a reading culture in Maharashtra, particularly
in the Nashik district;
b) the details of the number of Central Libraries, District Libraries and rural libraries that
have been established or are proposed to be set up in Maharashtra under the National
Mission on Libraries including projects specifically planned for Nashik city and rural
areas;
c) the details of the total financial assistance released/to be released by the Government
under the National Mission on Libraries and other related schemes for development,
upgradation and digitalisation for State Central Library and District Library in the
country, State/UT-wise especially in Maharashtra during the last five years along with
the funds provided or sanctioned for library infrastructure, books, digital resources
and training in Nashik district;
d) whether the Government has any proposal to expand community libraries in tribal or
remote areas of Nashik, if so, the details thereof;
e) whether the Government has any plan to digitise libraries across the country; 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
subject 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. 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 availability of State funds, in addition to six
libraries identified by the Ministry. 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.
The Government of Maharashtra was sanctioned financial assistance for upgradation of
Government District Library, Nandurbar and Government Divisional Library, Aurangabad
as per following details
(Amount in Lakhs)
Library Name Amount Amount
Sanctioned Released
District Library, Nandurbar 21.90 18.43
Govt. Divisional Library, 60.55 57.21
Aurangabad
The details of the total financial assistance released by the Government under the National
Mission on Libraries during the last five years is provided at Annexure A.
(d) No sir.
(e) and (f) Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata an autonomous body
under Ministry of Culture has an approved Matching Scheme “Assistance for Digitization of
Copyright Free Manuscripts, Rare Books, Rare Documents, Old Journals, Record of History
and Other Materials” for providing financial assistance for the purpose of Digitization of
Copyright Free Manuscripts, Rare Books, Rare Documents, Old Journals, Record of History
and Other Materials in the public library across the country. RRRLF releases financial
assistance after receiving application from the concerned States/UTs.Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 16 for reply
on 1st December, 2025 regarding 'National Mission on Libraries.
ANNEXURE A
Sl State Name of the Library Amount Sanction
Amount released in last 5 years (in lakhs)
No sanction Year
ed (in 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
lakhs)
1 Arunachal State Central Library, 223.00 2014-15
Pradesh Itanagar 53.63 - - - -
2 Arunachal District Library, 87.00 2014-15
Pradesh Phasighat - 18.58 - - -
3 Mizoram State Central Library, 141.24 2014-15
Aizwal 12.54 - - - -
4 Karnataka State Central Library, 223.00 2014-15
Bangalore - - 40.71 - -
5 Telangana State Central Library, 112.25 2014-15
Hyderabad 4.56 8.13 9.69 - -
6 Tripura Birchandra State 223.00 2014-15
Central Library 91.67 21.23 5.89 - -
7 Tripura Unakoti District 87.00 2014-15
Library 28.68 12.51 1.34 - -
8 Chhattisgarh District Library, 87.00 2014-15
Raigarh 13.64 - 14.05 37.00 -
9 Goa Krishnadas Shama 223.00 2014-15
State Central Library - 8.05 - - -
10 Kerala State Central Library, 116.61 2015-16
Thiruvananthapuram - - 41.70 - -
11 Madhya Govt. District 73.20 2016-17
Pradesh Library, Khandwa - 9.69 - - -
12 Maharashtra District Library, 21.90 2016-17
Nandurbar 2.68 - - - -
13 Rajasthan RajakiyaSarvajanik 63.46 2016-17
Mandal Pustakalaya,
Kota 4.34 - - - -
14 Pondicherry Romain Rolland 166.47 2016-17
Library, State Central
Library 12.19 - - - -
15 Pondicherry Dr. S. R. 76.04 2016-17
Ranganathan
Government Public
Library, Karaikal 9.97 10.05 - - -
16 Tamil Nadu District Library, 87.00 2016-17
Vellore 5.46 - - - -
17 Gujarat State Central Library, 104.04 2017-18
Gandhinagar 91.73 - - - -
18 Maharashtra Govt. Divisional 60.55 2017-18
Library,
Aurangabad 17.35 - - - -
19 Madhya Govt. Shri Ahilya 87.00 2017-18
Pradesh Central Library,
Indore 27.17 - - - -
20 Bihar District Central 81.41 2018-19
Library, Jamui 34.77 - 17.71 - -
21 Himachal Government District 86.87 2018-19
Pradesh Library, Bilaspur 15.00 59.67 - - -
22 Uttarakhand Government District 86.20 2018-19
Library, Suman
Pustakalaya, New
Tehri - 25.00 25.00 - -
23 Haryana State Central Library, 223.00 2021-22
Ambala Cantt. - - 122.65 - 100.35
24 Haryana District Library, 84.00 2021-22
Narnaul - - 46.20 - -25 Jammu & Gani Memorial U.T 223.00 2021-22
Kashmir Central Library,
Srinagar - - 100.00 - 123.00
26 Kerala State Public Library 37.50 2021-22
Research Centre - 18.77 3.79 - -
27 Sikkim Sikkim State Central 217.20 2021-22
Library, Gangtok - - 65.30 151.90 -
28 Sikkim District Library, 86.58 2021-22
Mangan - - 10.78 75.80 -
29 Jammu & District Library, 32.50 2021-22
Kashmir Samba - - - 32.50 -
30 Gujarat Government District 87.00 2022-23
Library, Bhavnagar,
Gujarat - - 87.00 - -
31 Bihar District Central 87.00 2022-23
Library, Hajipur,
Vaishali, Bihar - - - 50.00 -
32 Himachal Central State Library, 223.00 2022-23
Pradesh Solan, Himachal
Pradesh - - - 95.00 128.00
33 Manipur State Central Library, 218.87 2022-23
Imphal - - 45.25 - 173.62
34 Manipur District Library, 85.53 2022-23
Senapati - - 1.00 - 84.54
35 Meghalaya State Central Library, 223.00 2023-24
Shillong - - - 100.00 123.00
36 Andaman & State Central Library, 223.00 2023-24
Nicobar Port Blair - - - 223.00 -
37 Andaman & District Library, Car 87.00 2023-24
Nicobar Nicobar - - - 87.00 -
38 Lakshadweep State Central Library, 168.00 2023-24
Kavaratti - - - 88.00 80.00
39 Lakshadweep District Library, 27.64 2023-24
Kadmat - - - 27.64 -
40 Meghalaya District Library, Tura 87.00 2023-24 - - - - 87.00
41 Dadra and 223.00 2023-24
Nagar Haveli Central Library,
and Daman Daman
and Diu - - - - 223.00
42 Dadra and 87.00 2023-24
Nagar Haveli
District Library, Diu
and Daman
and Diu - - - - 87.00
43 Chandigarh T.S. Central State 164.50 2023-24
Library, - - - 164.50 -
44 Chandigarh Divisional Library 82.72 2023-24
(south) - - - 82.72 -