Chennai, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to hold annual book fairs in all 38 districts, starting from the 2026-27 fiscal year. To facilitate this initiative, the state has allocated ₹8.45 crore, aimed at increasing access to books throughout the region.
On October 9, the School Education Department issued a government order approving this expenditure. The funds will be drawn from the revised estimates for the 2026-27 fiscal year, providing financial support for the fairs this year.
The district book fair initiative was launched in Tamil Nadu during the 2022-23 fiscal year, featuring a tiered funding structure. Districts were categorized into three groups, with financial assistance varying based on their classification. A-category districts received ₹17.5 lakh, B-category districts were allocated ₹14 lakh, and C-category districts received ₹12 lakh.
Initially, the government approved a total of ₹4.965 crore to kickstart the district-level program. This funding was subsequently increased to support the initiative in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal years as well.
The recent order extends this support, establishing a framework for annual fairs in every district from 2026-27 onwards. This ensures a consistent and ongoing program across the state.
The new allocation of ₹8.45 crore is ₹3.485 crore more than the initial funding approved when the initiative began. This financial backing will cover the costs of organizing fairs in all 38 districts.
By implementing annual events, the government has created a sustainable funding structure for this initiative. The annual fairs will facilitate regular literary events and provide opportunities for community engagement throughout Tamil Nadu. The fairs aim to make books more accessible to readers and students, while also allowing publishers to connect with audiences in various districts.
The organization of these fairs is expected to boost participation in literary events beyond major urban centers, making it easier for residents in less populated areas to attend. Those who cannot travel to larger book fairs will benefit from events held closer to their communities. The goal of this initiative is to maintain and expand district-level literary programs, ensuring regular opportunities for the public to discover and purchase books across Tamil Nadu.
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