It has been two years since the government bought new books from Kannada publishers for libraries in the State, even as pending bills are yet to be cleared for old purchases. Library cess to the tune of Rs. 300 crore is yet to be passed on from the BBMP to the Library Department.
These are worrying signs on the occasion of World Book Day, Kannada writers and publishers said on Thursday. They observed World Book Day as “Black Day” under the aegis of the Karnataka Prakashakara Sangha (KPS). Noted writers, including Girish Karnad, Chandrashekar Kambar, K.S. Nisar Ahmed and Baraguru Ramachandrappa, have expressed solidarity with the cause.
According to Prakash Kambattalli, general secretary of the sangha, Kannada publishers in the State are facing serious crisis because of the apathy of the government in making bulk purchases.
The government used to procure books from publishers for 36 district and 5,766 gram panchayat-level libraries twice a year. But, the purchases have not been made since 2013, as a Book Selection Committee is yet to be constituted.
“While over 800 publishers in Bengaluru are affected by the government’s stand, another 700 are affected in other parts of Karnataka,” Mr. Kambattalli said.
N. Ravikumar of Abhinava Prakashana said, “Bills for the books purchased from 2009 has not been settled because of which the number of publications reduced to 3,500 from 7,000 a year.”
Publishers and writers have expressed concern over public libraries stopping subscription of newspapers and periodicals. They accused the BBMP of diverting library cess to other projects.
The government used to procure books from publishers for 36 district and 5,766 gram panchayat-level libraries twice a year, but purchases have not been made
since 2013
