Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) was underutilising its budget for library services over the past five years, with expenditure consistently falling below 40% of the allocated funds. Between 2019 and 2023, AMC’s budget for libraries ranged from Rs 8.64 crore to Rs 12.8 crore.
Despite a promise to invest Rs 17.34 crore in 2024, the civic body has yet to disclose the actual spending.
A civic advocacy group, Patheya Budget Centre, conducted an analysis revealing worrying trends. In 2019, only 27.75% of the library budget was utilised, dropping to 25% in 2020. Although utilisation improved to 49% in the 2023-24 budget year, it remains insufficient.
“This clearly indicates a lack of imagination in utilising the meagre budget they get. The library department must develop plans to make libraries more engaging,” said a senior AMC official in the finance department.
The advocacy group outlined several demands for AMC, including developing at least four libraries in each ward, establishing libraries in newly merged areas, utilising public spaces such as civic centres and municipal schools for libraries, and creating a Bal Bhavan for children in each ward. These measures aim to enhance library services and ensure better utilisation of the allocated budget.