Bengaluru: Why are the libraries in Bengaluru city still in bad shape? Why is the library department failing to push digitalisation? Here is the answer. According to the library department authorities, the BBMP owes them Rs. 350 crores, which is affecting the digitalisation process.
Speaking at a book donation event at Gopalan Mall on Friday evening, Satish Kumar S Hosamani, director, Department of Libraries, informed that the BBMP has not released the library cess it collected through various taxes across the city. “Once we get this cess amount, we can start the modernization process of libraries,” he said.
“Presently, the department operates 2,000 libraries across the state. With the help of various NGOs and others, we have been able to digitalize our libraries,” he added.
It can be recalled that, as per the state public libraries act, the BBMP can impose 6% cess on various taxes, including the property tax it collects from the general public.
According to the authorities, this is not a problem with any single Urban Local Body. “Across the state, no agency releases the library cess on time. It is paralysing the departments activities,” said an officer from the department.
