Question : ASSISTANCE FOR LIBRARIES

(a) whether financial assistance is provided by the Government for setting up of public libraries in the country including at panchayat, block and district levels under the Centrally sponsored schemes;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated, released and utilized for the purpose during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether it is true that 9000 libraries across the country are proposed to be digitalized;

(d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and

(e) if not, the time by which the said libraries are likely to be digitalised, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF CULTURE (CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH)

(a) Government has established the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata as a funding body for development of public libraries in India.

(b) The funding by RRRLF for public Libraries in last 3 years is as under:-

(Rupees in Lakhs)	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13	5208.24	4928.54	5800.66