The Rampur Raza Library  Act, 1975

Summary of the Rampur Raza Library Act, 1975
Objective
The Rampur Raza Library Act, 1975 was enacted to declare the Rampur Raza Library at Rampur as an institution of national importance and to provide for its proper administration, management, preservation, and development. The Act aims to conserve the Library's valuable collection of manuscripts, books, paintings, and other cultural and historical materials while promoting research and public access.
Key Provisions
• Institution of National Importance: Declares the Rampur Raza Library to be an institution of national importance.
• Establishment of the Board: Constitutes the Rampur Raza Library Board as a body corporate to administer and manage the Library.
• Functions and Powers of the Board: Empowers the Board to preserve, maintain, develop, and expand the Library's collections, facilitate research, and promote educational and cultural activities.
• Transfer of Property and Staff: Provides for the transfer of the Library's assets, liabilities, and existing employees to the Board.
• Finance and Audit: Provides for grants from the Central Government, creation of a Library Fund, maintenance of accounts, audit, and submission of annual reports.
• Government Supervision: Empowers the Central Government to issue directions to the Board and oversee the administration of the Library.
• Rule-making Power: Authorises the Central Government to make rules and the Board to frame regulations for carrying out the provisions of the Act.

Legislative History:

The Rampur Raza Library Act, 1975

● Act Title - The Rampur Raza Library Act, 1975

● Act Number / Year - 22 of 1975

● Act ID (India Code) - 197522

● Presidential Assent Date - May 9, 1975

● Enforcement Date - July 1, 1975

● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Culture

Precedent & Historical Rationale

● Preservation of National Cultural Heritage - Enacted to declare the historic Rampur Raza Library at Rampur, Uttar Pradesh—established in the late 18th century by Nawab Faizullah Khan—to be an institution of national importance and to provide for its administration and management.

● Safeguarding Rare Manuscripts & Holdings - Formulated to ensure the permanent preservation, cataloging, and scholarly accessibility of the library's irreplaceable repository of over 17,000 rare manuscripts (in Arabic, Persian, Pashto, Sanskrit, and Urdu), historical miniatures, palm-leaf documents, and thousands of printed rare books following the accession of the former princely state of Rampur into the Union of India.

Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment

● Formulation - Introduced by the Union Ministry of Education and Social Welfare (Department of Culture) to establish an autonomous statutory Board under the chairmanship of the Governor of Uttar Pradesh to administer the library and its assets.

● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Fifth Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the monsoon session in July–August 1975.

● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on May 9, 1975.

● Enforcement - Enforced on July 1, 1975.

Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Culture.