Government separates library director duties from TRB chairmanship after purchase dispute

Chennai – On 8 November, the Tamil Nadu government announced an administrative adjustment in the Public Library Department amid an escalating controversy over the purchase of books for the Periyar Library in Coimbatore. IAS officer R.V. Shajivana has been appointed as the new Director of the department.

The previous incumbent, IAS officer Jayanti, was handling the director’s responsibilities on an additional charge while also presiding over the Teacher Recruitment Board (TRB). The latest decision releases her from the library post, allowing her to focus exclusively on her TRB responsibilities.

The separation is intended to insulate the library division from other bureaucratic obligations, thereby enhancing operational clarity and accountability. This restructuring occurs against a backdrop of intense debate over the transparency of the book‑selection process at the Periyar Library, which has drawn criticism from political and administrative circles.

While officials have not confirmed a direct causal link, the timing suggests the reshuffle could be part of a broader effort to address governance concerns within the state’s library system.

Shajivana will now be responsible for implementing library policies, overseeing program delivery, and ensuring that future book procurement adheres to stricter standards of transparency and public accountability.