The lofty claims of the state government about focusing on higher education in the state have fallen flat, judging from its apathetic attitude towards libraries of government colleges and the district. The libraries throughout the state have been facing acute shortage of librarians.
According to information, 114 sanctioned posts of librarian and library restorers out of 168 posts in the state have been lying vacant for the past 16 years. Besides, there are around 32 government colleges in the state without a librarian and in around 13 places in Punjab such as Kotkapura, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Jandiala, Mansa, Malerkotla, Pojewal, Patran, Saradargarh, posts of both librarian and library restorer are vacant.
The state government has been unsuccessful in providing a librarian to Bathinda, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Mansa districts of the state. The other districts have also been facing a shortage of staff members.
The Punjab College Library Association (PCLA) slammed the state government for ignoring the importance of libraries and said that due to the indifferent attitude of the government, the functioning of libraries had been adversely affected.
Barjinder Pal Dhiman, president of the association said the body had urged the state government at various platforms to fill the vacant posts. He said the association, in a resolution, had made a fervent appeal to the Punjab higher education minister and principal secretary to initiate the recruitment process as no recruitment of college cadre had been made in the past 16 years.
{{/usCountry}}Barjinder Pal Dhiman, president of the association said the body had urged the state government at various platforms to fill the vacant posts. He said the association, in a resolution, had made a fervent appeal to the Punjab higher education minister and principal secretary to initiate the recruitment process as no recruitment of college cadre had been made in the past 16 years.
{{/usCountry}}Dhiman said the association also wanted the government to accept their demands such as extension in the dates of orientation and refresher courses as per the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Vacant Posts of Librarians
Institution Total No Posts Filled Vacant
Government Colleges 68 17 51
District/ Public Libraries 28 07 21
Total 96 24 72
Vacant Posts of Library Restorers
Institution Total No Posts Filled Vacant
Government Colleges 50 20 30
District/ Public Libraries 22 10 12
Total 72 30 42