Maharashtra govt gives nod to statewide rollout of 'Village of Books'

MUMBAI: In a significant move to boost the state's cultural footprint, the Maharashtra government has officially greenlit a permanent statewide expansion of its "Village of Books" and "Village of Poems" initiative. What began as a successful pilot program in the strawberry-hub of Bhilar in 2019 is now being scaled into a formal, regulated framework designed to turn rural destinations into literary landmarks. The initiative is inspired from the British city Hay-on-Wye. Under the new policy, the state is moving away from ad-hoc approvals toward a decentralized system led by District Collectors. Local committees will now identify potential sites based on their status as recognized tourist spots, pilgrimage centers, or the birthplaces of legendary Marathi poets.The expansion introduces a standardized financial package to ensure sustainability. Each new "virtual library" gallery is eligible for a Rs 5 lakh setup grant-with a mandatory 40% reserved for book collections-alongside a rs 50,000 annual maintenance stipend. To anchor the project within the community, gallery operators must sign a formal agreement to provide space rent-free for up to five years. Administered by the State Marathi Vikas Sanstha, the move aims to weave literature into the state's tourism circuit, making books accessible in non-traditional, scenic settings across every district.