A Library Information Technology Institute will be established by the Kerala State Library Council (KSLC) adjacent to the State Central Library.
The government has leased out a plot of 20 cents for a period of 30 years for the purpose. The Revenue department, in its order issued a few months ago, handed over the plot for an annual lease rent of ₹1,000. An office complex will also be constructed by the council on the ‘poramboke’ land.
The government decision has come in the backdrop of a long-drawn legal battle between the council and the Thiruvananthapuram Public Library Protection Council over the course of almost two decades. The E.K. Nayanar government had first decided to transfer the land over to KSLC for constructing its office complex.
While the construction of the complex had got under way, it came to a grinding halt after the Kerala High Court issued a stay order on the basis of a plea submitted by the protection council. It also reserved the authority of the government to hear the parties concerned and adopt appropriate decision. On the basis of the instruction, the government had conducted hearings in early 2016 and arrived at its subsequent decision.
The government order stated that the government was empowered to utilise ‘poramboke’ lands in an appropriate manner and that the decision to lease out the plot was made taking into consideration the importance of the institution, future scope of expansion, its social commitment and the interests of the people.
The move has been vehemently opposed by the protection council, which accused the State government of misleading the judiciary. According to its president M. Ahmed Kunju, who is also a member of the State Central Library’s advisory committee, the decision will hamper the expansion plans of the library, which has planned to establish a history museum on its premises. “Moreover, the land is not ‘poramboke’ as was being claimed. It came under the possession of the State Librarian. Besides, there is no logic behind establishing a library close to another,” he said, adding the organisation would move the Kerala High Court against the government’s decision.
Dismissing the allegations, KSLC State executive member S. Rameshan said the council had no intention to establish another library, but stood for incorporating advancements in library information technology. “Those who stood in the way of the ongoing efforts worked for their vested interests were incapable of embracing change,” he said.
