SC Declines Plea for Rural Libraries, Urges States to Explore CSR Funding

Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by Athi Venkatesh

The Supreme Court on April 2 refused to order states to establish public libraries in villages, stating that urgent issues like clean water, food, health, and education must come first. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and NK Singh heard a plea filed by Mundona Rural Development Foundation, which sought directives for setting up libraries at the panchayat level. Justice Surya Kant acknowledged the benefits of libraries but questioned their relevance in a mobile-driven era. He noted that many villages lack essentials like clean water, electricity, and functional schools. The Court asked whether any study had assessed the real conditions of rural areas before prioritizing libraries.

The Court pointed out that states often cite financial constraints as a reason for inaction. Justice Surya Kant questioned why governments do not allocate a dedicated percentage of revenue for rural infrastructure. He suggested that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds could be used to set up libraries without burdening state budgets. The counsel representing the petitioners argued that Article 243G allows panchayats to implement development schemes, and the Centre should allocate funds for rural libraries. However, the Court ruled that Article 21, which guarantees the Right to Life, takes precedence over all other considerations. Justice Surya Kant referred to a news report about a hungry child who ate a newspaper, mistaking a printed image of food for real nourishment. He stressed that libraries cannot be prioritized when basic survival needs remain unmet.

The Court ruled that the establishment of libraries is a policy matter and cannot be mandated by judicial intervention. Without comprehensive data on rural conditions, it refused to determine if libraries should take precedence over essential services. However, it encouraged state governments to explore creative solutions, particularly e-libraries, and to seek CSR funding for library initiatives. Disposing of the petition, the Court expressed hope that states would take effective steps to improve access to knowledge in rural areas while balancing other pressing developmental needs.