There are more than 90 libraries in twin cites of Hyderabad and Secunderabad but unfortunately almost all the libraries either do not have a single Urdu book or if they at all have them, they are in very small number. Although Telugu knowing people are very less in old city but the libraries of old city have Telugu books in abundance. There are some libraries where Urdu books are less than 5 in number. Surprisingly Begumpet library doesn’t have a single Urdu book.
It has been learnt that out of the fund released to HCGS for purchase of books 50 pc is used for Telugu books, 25 pc is used for English books and 25 pc is used for remaining languages including Urdu books. This shows government’s prejudice towards Urdu.
A noted activist of the city S Q Masood filed an RTI and sought information regarding number of Urdu books in libraries and amount spent on them. It was found that during the year 2011-2012 Rs. 2592412 were spend on Telugu books, Rs. 1986425 were spent on English books, Rs. 103397 were spent on Hindi books and Rs 248296 were spent on Urdu books. During the financial year 2012-13, Rs. 3879445 were spent on Telugu books, Rs. 3414612 for English books, Rs 86489 for Hindi books and just Rs. 77667 were spent on the purchase of Urdu books. It shows that the amount spent on Urdu books is deliberately reduced each year.
Siasat report