Kolkata: Action would be taken against former CM Mamata Banerjee if she failed to return 19 books issued to her from the assembly library, warned Bengal mass education extension and library services minister Gouri Sankar Ghosh on Tuesday.The books borrowed by Banerjee are 18 volumes of Rabindra Rachanabali and a copy of Tagore’s Sanchayita. According to the minister, the stipulated borrowing period has elapsed. Ghosh raised the issue during the 127th foundation day of Suri’s Vivekananda Library.Pointing out that library rules apply equally to all borrowers, Ghosh said, “Rules will not differ for her just because she is a prominent person.” CM Suvendu Adhikari’s policy of equality before the law applies to library books as well, the minister added.According to sources, assembly library officials have already contacted Banerjee. The former CM informed them that the books were not at her residence, but inside the chief minister’s chamber at the assembly — an office now being used by Adhikari. However, official sources said that the books cannot be recorded as returned until physically deposited at the library.Ghosh also criticised directives issued by the Trinamool govt to state-run libraries to purchase books authored by Banerjee. Alleging that these purchases served party interests, he said, “Those Epang, Opang, Jhopang books hold no value.”The minister said he had ordered the removal of these books from public libraries on his first day in office. State libraries will now prioritise works by national icons including Swami Vivekananda and Syama Prasad Mookerjee and focus on Indian history and nationalism, Ghosh added.
