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“This is nothing short of a scam,” wrote the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on the alleged irregularities in the procurement of books for public libraries in Tamil Nadu, while calling upon the government to constitute a committee to enquire into the allegations made by a petitioner in June 2024. A Bench of Justices R. Mahadevan and G.R. Swaminathan also gave directions on transparent procedures to be followed in the procurement of books.

Against the backdrop of writer Perumal Murugan’s expose on substandard books containing grossly erroneous historical information making their way into the shelves of the Periyar Arivulagam in Coimbatore, it would be worthwhile to take a look at how the court had sought to streamline procurement of books.

S. Krishnan, who runs a literary forum in Nagercoil, had moved the court in 2019 (when the AIADMK was in power) alleging irregularities in the purchase of books for public libraries.

“He [petitioner] brings to our notice the scandalous state of affairs prevalent in the procurement of books for public libraries in Tamil Nadu,” the court noted. “The petitioner describes the modus operandi in detail in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition. His statements are not made in the air. He provides solid proof and justification,” the Judges said.

Detailing the modus operandi, the court pointed out the Director of Public Library was the authority to procure books for public libraries. “He would issue notifications calling for response from publishers interested in supplying books. Though one of the conditions would be that the year of the publication of the book should not be changed, instances are galore indicating to the contrary. For instance, ‘Veeram Vilaintha Varalatru Puthinangal Part-I’, which was published in the year 2013, is nothing but a copy of Kalki’s Sivakamiyin Sabatham. The petitioner points out that the books of writers of yore such as Thiru Vi Ka, A.Sa. Gnana Sambanthan, Na .Parthasarathy, etc, have been re-published as if they are of recent vintage. Books that have been nationalised and those books whose copyrights have expired were chosen for such re-publication. Since the legal heirs of the writers cannot complain of copyright violation, the fraudsters could resort to such re-publication and re-packaging with false titles and book covers with impunity.”

As per norms, once a book is purchased for a public library, it cannot be purchased again for the next five years. “It is seen that this condition has been flagrantly breached. Nationalised books are re-printed and published under different titles and authors’ names and procured every year. This is nothing short of a scam,” the court said.

The Hindu report cited

Mr Krishnan, in his petition, enclosed a report published in The Hindu dated January 11, 2019, in which one publisher had alleged that 99% of the books printed exclusively for the Government Library orders would not be available in the open market. Another publisher lamented that a publisher runs a dozen publications in different names only for the sake of getting Government orders and that quality has suffered setback. It was also alleged that 95% of the books were actually by publishers who are ready to pay commission to officials dealing with library orders.

Strangely, for five years the government did not file its counter-affidavit, prompting the court to record, “the rule of non- traverse will apply and we have to take it that the allegations made by the petitioner stand unrebutted.” Thereafter the Government Pleader submitted the School Education Department’s Government Order (G.O.) dated March 7, 2024, laying down the Transparent Book Procurement Policy 2024. This G.O. acknowledged unfair practices such as sale of books by changing the title or the author’s name.

However, the Judges said: “The case of the petitioner is that the procurement done so far has facilitated such unfair practices. Bathing in Ganga is believed to wash away one’s past sins. But the issuance of G.O cannot absolve the department of the misdeeds committed in the past by the officials.”

Allowing the writ petition, the Judges issued directions on procurement of books. They said the Director Public Libraries must maintain a dedicated, user friendly and functional website and spread awareness about it through social media.

“When it is proposed to make procurement of books, notification must be published in the Website. Simultaneously, E-mail communications should be sent to those publishers operating in Tamil Nadu who have published not less than 200 books. The second respondent will have to maintain a list of such publishers. This alone will ensure sufficient notice. Once the books proposed to be purchased are shortlisted, the details will have to be published in a separate web page. It should contain all the relevant details. The book cover should also be displayed. A month’s time should be given for eliciting remarks, comments and objections. When procurement for the year is to be finalised, the remarks, comments and objections should be taken into account. They shall remain in the web page and not be deleted,” the court had made it clear.

Going a step further, it directed the Government to constitute a committee to enquire into the allegations made by the petitioner. “Views will be elicited from the various publishers in this regard. A comprehensive report shall be published within five months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It should catalogue all the unfair practices that have come to light so far. Action should be taken against the officials concerned. An action taken report should also be published in the Website within six months thereafter. If necessary, the persons concerned should be prosecuted,” the court said.

However, there is no public evidence, of the then DMK Government having acted on this direction.

Published – November 07, 2026 11:03 am IST