HYDERABAD: The State Central Library in Afzalgunj is one of the most remarkable structures from the Nizam’s era. But it’s not just students who flock in large numbers to the facility each day. What stands out as a sore thumb are the huge number of daily wage labourers, cheapjacks, hawkers and almost everyone who has no business to do with the place, hanging around in the open place.
One of the students whom Express spoke to complained about hawkers roaming around the place and also of locals smoking and drinking on the premises. However authorities denied receiving any such complaint.
“We haven’t received any such complaint from students yet and since this is a public library, we cannot stop people from entering the premises,” an official said.
On the request of students, a Rs 5-a-meal centre was opened for them but this has been attracting a lot of ‘unwanted’ public. “We come here to study. If such people are allowed here who engage in smoking or drinking, it spoils the atmosphere of the place and the smoke is also harmful for us,” rued a student.
Security wise, the centre is constantly being monitored by CCTV cameras. Even police come on regular vigil to the library. The students recently requested the authorities for a watchman during the day to stop hawkers from entering the place and to keep the library strictly open to only those who want to study.
The general maintenance and cleanliness of the place is also a cause of concern. There is garbage burning on one side, bookshelves are filled with dust and the toilets stink. Asserting that the main cause of low maintenance is the lack of staff, the authorities say, “We have 8-10 washrooms here and only one cleaner who is also outsourced. The sanctioned staff strength is 105 but the working strength is only 60. We are not able to recruit more people due to ban on recruitment.”