G S Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 11: Attribute it to the persistent neglect and apathy of the successive governments, once vibrant, the Libraries of Jammu are dying slow but sure death.
With 7 out of 14libraries in Jammu district running from single room accommodation, no new libraray has been established in over two decades in entire provice.
The documents in possession of Early Times reveal that seven libraries including District library Jammu, Tehsil library of Akhnoor and RS Pura, Border libraries of Ghou Manahasan , Satriana and Lending Depot Resham Garh Jammu and Reading Room Pallanwala have been running from a single room accommodation, since their establishment, decades back.
"Due to lackadaisical approach, the department concerned has failed to raise its own buildings for smooth functioning of the libraries. In absence of its own accommodations, the department has been paying several Lakhs of rupees in form of rent to private parties", the documents disclosed.
Sources in the department, pleading anonymity informed Early Times that the Tehsil library R S Pura, which was running from Old Post Office near Mandir Chowk has been fin pathetic condition and termite has been eating the books.
The department seemed totally disinterested to improve the basic facilities so that the readers could be attracted to library. "The Tehsil Library Akhnoor had been working from a government school building but nearly two years back, the department had started construction of their own building. Since the construction of building has started, the routine functioning is totally disturbed and library has few readers left", sources said.
Shockingly, buildings are being constructed for various tehsil libraries, but administration has failed to identify land for District Library Jammu, which has been running from rented accommodations since its establishment. "The administration is disinterested towards this sector, due to which in the last two decades no new library has been established while the existing libraries are on the verge of closure", sources said. |
