Ranchi, March 14: The human resource development (HRD) department has set the ball rolling to flood 141 libraries spread across the state with books worth Rs 4.12 crore.

Sources said this was the first time that the state government has sanctioned such a huge amount to the libraries. About 20,000 “quality” books will be purchased for state, district, block and public libraries.

The library committee, formed by the department early this month, met on March 12 headed by HRD secretary-cum-commissioner Ashok Kumar Singh. The committee discussed the status of books in the libraries so that their demands could be considered individually.

The committee asked librarians of district libraries to provide the list of books available with them.

The Hazaribagh commissionary (21,565 books), Daltonganj (19,228 books), Gumla (4,674 books), Sahebganj (13,169 books), Lohardagga (3,178 books) and Godda (6,500 books), Pakur (6,485 books), Khunti (3,050 books), Simdega (3,000 books), Latehar (1,888 books), Chatra (6,652 books) and Giridih (14,000) libraries have furnished their lists.

HRD secretary A.K. Singh said books are the basic infrastructure required to upgrade the state of education.

“We have decided to equip the libraries with quality books. To check the irregularities in the purchase of books, we have roped in academicians to provide us with the lists of books required. Besides, we will monitor the process of book purchase, Singh said.

The other members of the committee include director secondary education Baruan Kumar Saha, BSM College (Dhanbad) principal B.N. Jha, deputy-director secondary education A.K. Mukherji, special secretary finance Birsa Ekka and Ranchi University professor Jeetendra Kumar Singh.

Assistant secretary vigilance Ranchi Arati Verma has been nominated special invitee member of the committee.