Tamil Nadu reshuffles Public Libraries Dept head amid Coimbatore Periyar Library book row
Synopsis
Tamil Nadu has quietly reshuffled its Public Libraries Department head amid a controversy over book procurement at Coimbatore's Periyar Library. IAS officer R.V. Shajeevana steps in as the new director, while the government has yet to clarify whether this is a direct response to the dispute — leaving questions about accountability and transparency in publicly funded library procurement unanswered.
Key Takeaways
The Tamil Nadu government has appointed IAS officer R.V.
Shajeevana as the new Director of Public Libraries (DPL) on 8 November 2026 .
IAS officer Jayanthi has been relieved of the additional charge as Director of Public Libraries but continues as Chairperson of the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) .
The reshuffle follows a controversy over book selection and procurement procedures at the Periyar Library in Coimbatore .
It remains reportedly unclear whether the leadership change was a direct response to the procurement row or part of a wider administrative exercise.
The controversy has triggered broader debate about transparency and accountability in acquiring books for publicly funded institutions in Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu government has carried out an administrative reshuffle in the Public Libraries Department following a controversy over book selection and procurement procedures at the Periyar Library in Coimbatore. The changes, announced on 8 November 2026, include the appointment of a new director and have drawn considerable attention in the state's political and administrative circles.
Key Personnel Changes
IAS officer Jayanthi, who had been holding additional charge as Director of Public Libraries, has been relieved of that responsibility. The government has appointed IAS officer R.V. Shajeevana as the new Director of Public Libraries (DPL). Jayanthi, who simultaneously serves as Chairperson of the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB), will continue in that role. The decision effectively separates public library administration from her existing responsibilities at the recruitment board.
The Procurement Controversy
The reshuffle comes against the backdrop of growing scrutiny over the procedures used to purchase and select books for the Periyar Library in Coimbatore. Questions over the procurement process have brought the department's functioning under sharp focus, drawing attention from political circles and stakeholders within the state's library network. The controversy has also sparked wider debate about transparency, accountability, and administrative oversight in acquiring books for publicly funded institutions.
What Remains Unclear
Although the government has changed the department's leadership, it reportedly remains unclear whether the decision was taken specifically in response to the book procurement controversy or was part of a broader administrative reshuffle. No official statement directly linking the leadership change to the dispute has been issued. Jayanthi's continuation as TRB Chairperson indicates that the government has confined the immediate administrative change to the Public Libraries Department.
What Shajeevana's Appointment Means
As the incoming director, R.V. Shajeevana will oversee public libraries across Tamil Nadu, including the implementation of departmental policies and supervision of library-related programmes. Her appointment is considered significant given that the department is currently navigating questions about procurement practices and book-selection procedures. Notably, the department's handling of publicly funded reading material selections has broader implications for institutional transparency across the state.
What to Watch
As the controversy continues to attract political attention, the government's next steps — including any possible review of the disputed procurement process and an audit of the procedures involved — will be closely monitored. The leadership transition is expected to bring renewed scrutiny to the department's functioning, particularly around procurement decisions and administrative accountability.
Point of View
Transparency advocates will have reason to remain sceptical. The episode also underscores a structural problem — when library directors hold dual charge across unrelated departments, accountability gaps widen.
NationPress
8 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Tamil Nadu reshuffled the Public Libraries Department director?
The Tamil Nadu government replaced the acting Director of Public Libraries following a controversy over book selection and procurement at the Periyar Library in Coimbatore. IAS officer Jayanthi, who held the charge in addition to her role as TRB Chairperson, has been relieved and replaced by IAS officer R.V. Shajeevana. It has not been officially confirmed whether the change was a direct response to the controversy or part of a routine reshuffle.
Who is R.V. Shajeevana and what is her new role?
R.V. Shajeevana is an IAS officer appointed by the Tamil Nadu government as the new Director of Public Libraries (DPL). She will oversee public libraries across the state, including implementing departmental policies and supervising library-related programmes, taking over at a time when the department faces scrutiny over its procurement practices.
What is the Coimbatore Periyar Library book procurement controversy?
The controversy centres on the procedures used to select and purchase books for the Periyar Library in Coimbatore, a publicly funded institution. Questions about transparency and administrative oversight in the procurement process have drawn attention from political circles and those associated with Tamil Nadu's library network. Full details of the disputed transactions have not been officially disclosed.
What happens to IAS officer Jayanthi after the reshuffle?
Jayanthi continues as Chairperson of the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) in Tamil Nadu. The government has confined the administrative change to the Public Libraries Department, and her role at the recruitment board remains unaffected.
What are the next steps following this reshuffle?
The government's next steps on the disputed book procurement process — including any possible review or audit of the procedures involved — will be closely watched. No official announcement of a formal inquiry into the Periyar Library procurement row has been made yet, and the new director's approach to the controversy will be a key indicator of the department's direction.
