Bengaluru, August 30: Karnataka government has taken steps to ensure a minimum monthly honorarium of ₹19,201 for supervisors of Arivu Kendra (library) centers functioning under Gram Panchayats, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre said in a statement.
There are more than 5,420 library supervisors across the State. They were earlier receiving an honorarium of ₹12,000 per month. Following the Labour Department's revision of minimum wages, the applicable honorarium has been increased to ₹19,201, Khandre said.
Of the monthly amount, ₹12,000 will continue to be paid by the government, while the remaining ₹7,201 will be paid from the Library Cess collected at the State level. Khandre said he has approved the arrangement to ensure payment of the revised amount.
Decision is expected to provide a guaranteed minimum monthly honorarium to supervisors working at Arivu Kendra libraries. Khandre also said AI-based computers developed by KEONICS would be provided to Arivu Kendra centers. The facility is expected to support learning among students and rural youth.
Government is also working to improve basic infrastructure in rural libraries by providing tables, chairs and other facilities, along with a better supply of books. Steps are also being taken to strengthen digital libraries. Officials have been instructed to organise foreign-language speaking training programmes at Arivu Kendra centers for interested local youth to improve their employment prospects, he said.
Branch libraries for villages without libraries
Government has also decided to open branch libraries in villages that do not currently have a library, Khandre said. These branch libraries will function two days a week Saturday and Sunday. Librarians working at these centers will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹2,000 to ₹2,500, he said.
Karnataka's Gram Panchayat libraries are intended to support reading, learning and access to information in rural areas. Government material describes Gram Panchayat libraries as facilities that help rural citizens, particularly children, stay connected with reading and learning.
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Karnataka library supervisors, ₹19,201 library honorarium, Gram Panchayat libraries Karnataka, Eshwar Khandre, Arivu Kendra libraries, Branch libraries Karnataka, Citizen News Puttur