The Hindu        19.11.2011

BBMP owes Rs. 85 crore to Libraries Department

Upset with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) which owes it Rs. 85 crore, the Department of Public Libraries has written to the State Government to direct all municipal corporations not to divert the library cess amount for any other purposes.

K.G. Venkatesha, Department Director, told The Hindu on the sidelines of a library inauguration at the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences on Thursday the Rs. 85-crore arrears was an accumulation of the 6 per cent library cess BBMP had collected from the public over 20 years.

“Although some payment is made now and then, BBMP has not been regularly clearing the dues. This has affected our finances because of which we are not able to construct our own library buildings. We have acquired 16 sites in the city but are unable to construct as we don't have a separate building fund. We are dependent on the library cess,” Mr. Venkatesha said.

“Of the 80 libraries in the city, only eight are housed in the department's own buildings; the rest are functioning in rented premises. We want to set up a model city central library on the lines of the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai and the early clearance of dues will of great help,” he said.

Appeal

Mr. Venkatesha has appealed to the Government to direct all municipal corporations to open a non-operative account to deposit the library cess collection.