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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Initiative launched to compile comprehensive national-level database of public libraries: Govt to LS
New Delhi, The government, through the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation under the Ministry of Culture, has recently launched a significant initiative to compile and maintain a comprehensive, "national-level dynamic database" of public libraries across the country, Parliament was informed on Monday. Initiative launched to compile comprehensive national-level database of public libraries: Govt to LS Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha. The Ministry of Culture, through the RRRLF, Kolkata an autonomous organisation provides financial assistance for the development of public libraries across the country under its approved matching and non-matching schemes, the government said. The RRRLF extends financial assistance for the development of public libraries across the country through various approved matching and non-matching schemes, in active collaboration with the respective state or Union Territory library authorities, the minister said. Shekhawat further said the government, through the RRRLF, has recently launched a significant initiative to compile and maintain a comprehensive, national-level dynamic database of public libraries across the country. In a separate query, the Union minister was asked about the Anthropological Survey of India. "Over the next ten years, the Anthropological Survey of India envisages to align its research with national policies and programmes to contribute to the vision of a developed India," he said. "The vision includes promoting socio-economic development of marginalised communities through comprehensive social impact and needs assessments, addressing public health concerns and preserving India's rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage," Shekhawat added. In another query, the Union minister was also asked about the details, along with a list of complaints from January 1, 2020, regarding illegal constructions or encroachments in protected and regulated zones of state and centrally-protected monuments in Goa, such as Old Goa, Harvalem, Aguada, including the names of the monuments, sites, locations of illegality, complaint date and actions taken. In his response, Shekhawat presented a tabulated data, according to which four of the five such incidents related to centrally-protected monuments pertained to Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. This is a highly-revered and iconic heritage site in the coastal state. "With regard to an illegal construction undertaken in regulated area of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, the Archaeological Survey of India issued a notice dated 22.03.2022 and lodged a complaint with the local police station. Subsequently, a show cause notice was issued on 24.04.2025. Copies of both the notice and the show cause/removal notice have been forwarded to the district administration for its removal," read the details shared in the tabulated response, against the first incident related to the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Another complaint on the list pertained to the Se' Cathedral in Old Goa. "ASI issued a notice dated 28.11.2023 regarding illegal construction in prohibited area of Se' Cathedral, Old Goa and also lodged a complaint with the police station. Subsequently, a show cause notice was issued on 24.04.2025. Copies of the notice and the show cause/removal notice have been forwarded to the district administration for its removal," the details furnished by the minister read. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hindustan Times
12-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra to revamp 60 prison libraries
Pune: Maharashtra government on Sunday announced that 60 prison libraries across the state will each receive a new bookcase and book rack. The initiative, aimed at fostering a reading culture among inmates and supporting their rehabilitation, will be executed under the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation's (RRRLF) Matching Grant Scheme, in collaboration with the State Directorate of Libraries. Police-stand-guard-outside-the-high-security-Yerwada-Jail-where-Pakistan-born-Mohammed-Ajmal-Kasab-the-sole-surviving-gunman-of-the-2008-Mumbai-attacks-was-hanged-in-Pune-AFP The decision follows a proposal placed before the state library planning committee during its meeting on December 13, 2024, which explored ways to extend the benefits of RRRLF's schemes to libraries in Maharashtra. The furniture will be delivered to prison libraries in the coming weeks, said officials. 'Access to books can open a window to new perspectives, self-improvement, and a better future,' chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had said, adding that prison reforms must go hand-in-hand with opportunities for education and personal growth. The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, headquartered in Kolkata, is a central government institution that supports the development of public libraries across India through grants, infrastructure support, and literacy programmes. Its grant scheme enables state governments to receive funds for library development projects, with the cost shared between the state and the foundation. State library authorities have urged other public and community libraries in Maharashtra to apply for such schemes to enhance facilities, promote reading culture, and make libraries vibrant community spaces.
