RAWALPINDI: For the last five months, the building of the only public library in the city remains demolished for reconstruction. After razing the structure, no further work could be carried out due to non-release of the required funds.

The Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) had started the project to reconstruct the library building and establish a visitor lounge. An amount of Rs250 million was provided by the Punjab government.

However, as the July 25 general elections approached, the funds could not be released due to a ban. After the formation of the new government, the finance department’s negligence has led to the delay in restarting the project.

Work on reconstruction of library could not be restarted as lapsed funds are yet to be released

More than 50,000 books of the library are now gathering dust in the RMC offices and over 7,000 members and other visitors have no other option but to stay in their homes.

The library was established in 1873 during the British rule when it had 1,000 books and 25 members.

It gradually grew into a centre of excellence and got its separate building on Murree Road near Liaquat Bagh. Currently, the library has 50,000 books.

A senior official of the RMC told Dawn that the funds had lapsed as it could not be utilised till June 30. “The general elections ban on development schemes was the main reason for non-utilisation of the funds.”

However, he said after July 25 the RMC wrote a letter to the government for the release of the lapsed funds but has got no response. “The finance department was asked through the local government department to release the funds but the RMC is still waiting for the amount.” The official said the contractors had been asked to start the work next month whether the funds were released or not by then, as the citizens were complaining about the absence of the library.

He said many regular visitors to the library were approaching the RMC and expressing their resentment over the delay. The RMC wants to reconstruct the building to improve the condition of the library.

He said the funds were given by the Punjab government under the Improvement of Public Infrastructure in Five Big Cities Programme. He said the PML-N provincial government had taken a loan from the World Bank for the programme.

When contacted, RMC Finance Officer Shahzad Gondal said Mayor Sardar Naseem wanted to provide better facilities in the library for students and other visitors.

He said after receiving the funds allocated for the library the work would be resumed. He said the library would get better infrastructure for the next 20 to 30 years.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2018