The Bihar Vidhan Sabha Committee led by Chairperson Sudama Prasad presented its report for the first time in the 100 years' history of the Vidhan Sabha. Comrade Sudama Prasad said that this is also possibly the first ever such report in the country. It should be noted that this time Library Committee has come under the CPIML quota. Sudama Prasad is the Chairperson and Paliganj MLA is one of its members.
Sudama Prasad said that this report is about 51 of the 540 public libraries functioning in Bihar, where a deep investigation has been done into books and basic infrastructure. The Library Committee found that 6 Districts in Bihar do not have even a single library--Kaimur, Arwal, Shivhar, Banka, Shaikhpura and Kishanganj. Of the libraries in the remaining 32 Districts, the Committee list of 51 libraries. The Committee found the condition of most of these 51 libraries to be extremely poor. Basic infrastructure is ramshackle and there is a lack of books. There is an extreme shortage of chairs, tables, furniture and reading space. There is also a huge shortage of librarians. Toilets and other facilities are not available. The Committee placed its recommendations for reforming the situation on the table of the House. Libraries play a big role in creating an atmosphere conducive to education. Therefore the government should act promptly to stem the decline in the education system.
Sudama Prasad said that the Committee has made special recommendations for students from poor sections. Children whose homes are poor and dilapidated and who do not have space for study at home should be at least provided space to study, with arrangements for computers and internet. Funds should be made available to these libraries from the MLA fund. The state should have a road-map for libraries to encourage library culture. The Committee has recommended that a state financed library should be created in every Panchayat, 2 rooms should be allocated in each Panchayat Bhavan and library-related infrastructure should be arranged.
Sudama Prasad said that till date there is no library of repute in the state. Therefore the Gate Public Library in Patna should be set up as a model library as it has enough land for the construction of a big All India standard library.
A management committee including people's representatives should be constituted for the development and running of reputed state libraries. Division level committees should be formed chaired by the senior-most MLA in the Division concerned. District and Block level committees should have the respective HQs MLA as Chairperson.
