New body to run city's oldest public library

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will replace the governing body of the Hardayal Municipal Heritage Public Library, the oldest public library in the Capital, in an attempt to rid it of its ongoing financial crisis

- Paras Singh

Set up in 1862, the library, located in Chandni Chowk behind the Town Hall, is an autonomous body but is operated with the help of a grant in aid provided by MCD on a half yearly basis. However, the library's employees have alleged that their salaries are not paid on time, and that the heritage library has faced power cuts due to non-payment of electricity bills.

The house of councillors, during its general meeting on Thursday, approved a proposal to replace the panel with an 11-member management committee headed by the Delhi mayor, with other members comprising six elected councillors and four ex-officio experts.