Punjab Boosts Reading Culture with 196 Modern Rural Libraries, 135 More in Progress
Chandigarh, April 6
Under the dynamic leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, 196 state-of-the-art libraries are now operational in rural Punjab as part of the “Rural Library Scheme,” designed to ignite a passion for reading among the youth and engage them in the state’s socio-economic advancement. Alongside this milestone, construction is underway on 135 additional libraries featuring cutting-edge amenities.
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that the initiative was kickstarted by the Chief Minister on August 15, 2024, with the inauguration of the first library in village Issru (Khanna). During the launch, CM Mann connected with school children, sharing his vision of turning rural libraries into engines of growth and prosperity across Punjab.
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The Minister emphasized that these libraries are more than just buildings—they are hubs to nurture intellectual curiosity and personal growth among young people. He expressed optimism that this initiative will shape a brighter future for Punjab’s youth, paving the way for them to excel as officers, scientists, doctors, and technical experts.
Breaking down the progress by district, Sond revealed that Amritsar has 4 operational libraries, while Bathinda leads with 29. Barnala has 6 functional libraries and 5 in the works, while Fatehgarh Sahib boasts 10 operational and 2 under construction. Faridkot has 5 running and 7 in progress, and Fazilka shines with 21 operational libraries and 9 more being built. Ferozepur is advancing with 22 libraries under development.
In Hoshiarpur, 2 libraries are operational with 13 more underway, while Ludhiana has 15 running and 26 in progress. Mansa operates 8 libraries with 10 under construction, and Malerkotla has 6 functional and 5 being developed. Sri Muktsar Sahib is working on 6 libraries, Moga has 13 operational and 1 in progress, and Patiala features 18 running libraries with 11 more on the way. Rupnagar has 12 operational and 1 under construction, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar runs 6 successfully, and Shahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar is developing 12.
Sangrur stands out with 28 operational libraries—the highest in the state—and 5 more in the pipeline. Tarn Taran has 11 functioning libraries, while Jalandhar operates 2.
These libraries come equipped with top-tier facilities, including Wi-Fi, solar power, and digital resources, alongside a rich collection of world-class books spanning contemporary literature and academic curricula. This bold move by the Punjab Government underscores its dedication to empowering rural communities through education, knowledge, and opportunity.
