The Ministry of Culture, through its National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme, has sanctioned financial assistance under the 'Setting up of NML Model Libraries' component to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/Union Territory. The selection was made based on recommendations from State Authorities and six libraries specifically identified by the Ministry of Culture.
Financial data spanning ten fiscal years shows significant variation in budget allocations and expenditures. The total budget allocation across this period amounted to ₹21.7 crore (2170 lakhs), with the highest allocation of ₹49.6 lakhs in 2017-18 and the lowest of ₹0 in 2020-21. Actual expenditure patterns were inconsistent with allocations, peaking at ₹32.44 lakhs in 2025-26 while dropping to as low as ₹1.51 lakhs in 2020-21. Notable discrepancies include 2019-20 when ₹0 was released but ₹2.33 lakhs was spent, and 2023-24 when only ₹4.69 lakhs was released against a ₹26.02 lakh allocation.
The document clarifies that libraries remain a state subject under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, meaning public libraries function under the administrative control of respective State/Union Territory Authorities. This information was formally disclosed by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply presented in the Rajya Sabha on July 30, 2026.