Hyderabad: Misutilisation of property tax, especially the payment towards library cess, is leaving the tax payers fuming. Out of 85 public libraries, almost 50 are in a dilapidated condition, mostly dysfunctional, yet citizens have to shed large amounts annually.
Thousands of tax payers are unaware of the components of property tax. Eight per cent of the Rs 1,022 crore collected this year will go towards maintenance of libraries. However, the sorrowful state these reading centres cannot justify the money spent.
Vidya Kumari (name changed), who is incharge of a GHMC library, said, “Almost 95 per cent of the libraries are poorly maintained, with no toilet or water facilities and broken benches and tables.”
“What is the use of a library if it does not have books of public choice? In 2013, there was a huge demand for competitive examination books. How-ever they were ordered after the exams,” said Shilpa Srinivas, member at Bible House library.
