The Tamil Nadu library procurement controversy widened on November 12 after PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss urged the state government to publish a white paper detailing the alleged purchase of fake or substandard books, the people involved and the total value of the transactions.
In a statement reported by Dinamalar, Ramadoss said revelations linked to the purchase of books for the E.V.R. Knowledge World in Coimbatore were emerging regularly and had caused concern. He alleged that the controversy had brought disrepute to Tamil Nadu beyond the state and said all the facts should be made public.
Ramadoss questioned whether corruption could take place even in the procurement of books for libraries. He said the government had previously stated that all facts in the matter would be brought to light, but claimed that no information had yet been released. He also said that a first information report had not been registered so far, according to the report.
The PMK leader further alleged that the suspected irregularities may not be limited to book purchases. He said allegations had also emerged that corruption involving crores of rupees could have occurred in the construction of libraries. The supplied report does not provide details of any investigation into the construction-related allegations or establish the value of the alleged transactions.
Ramadoss called for action against officials and politicians found to be involved, while describing the alleged purchase of poor-quality or fake books as harmful to the purpose of public libraries. His statement did not identify individuals as having been proven responsible for wrongdoing. The allegations remain claims made by the PMK leader in the statement reported by Dinamalar.
The proposed white paper, as described in the statement, would need to set out which Tamil Nadu libraries purchased books from publishers including Agalvilakku Publications and Phoenix Publications, the number of books bought from each publisher and the value of those purchases. Ramadoss also sought details of the people who recommended the purchases.
The demand places procurement records, recommendation procedures and accountability for public library spending at the centre of the controversy. However, the supplied report contains no government order, audit document, police record or official response confirming the allegations or setting out the status of any inquiry. The immediate next step sought by Ramadoss is the publication of a comprehensive government white paper covering the purchases, their value, the recommending authorities and any related library construction works.
