Parliament Question: Upgradation of libraries

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2283 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026 UPGRADATION OF LIBRARIES 2283 SMT. MAMATA MOHANTA: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: a) the number of libraries upgraded, digitized or supported under the National Mission on Libraries in Odisha, including Mayurbhanj district; b) whether such initiatives have improved access to knowledge and cultural resources in tribal regions; and c) the steps taken to further strengthen digital library access and preservation of regional knowledge? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) a) Ministry of Culture through its National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, under its ‘Setting up of NML Model Library component’, provides financial assistance to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State /UT, as per the recommendation of the State Library Authorities concerned and 6 Libraries identified by Ministry of Culture. The State Library Authority of Odisha has recommended the following libraries: - Sl. No. Name of the Library 1 H.K.M.State Library, Bhubaneswar 2 District Library, Ganajam No proposal in respect of Mayurbhanj District has been forwarded by Odisha State Library Authority. b) Library is a State subject as per the Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India, and public libraries function under the administrative control of the respective State/Union Territory Authorities. Accordingly, such information is primarily maintained by the respective State/Union Territory Authorities concerned. c) The Indian Culture Portal (formerly known as National Virtual Library of India) under NML Scheme provides a unified digital platform offering access to diverse cultural and knowledge resources from across the Country by enabling online access to curated and original content including Union Catalogue. Further, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata 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. *****