Tamil Nadu IAS Reshuffle: R.V. Shajeevana Appointed Public Libraries Director Amid Book Procurement Controversy
Tamil Nadu appoints 2012-batch IAS officer R.V. Shajeevana as Director of Public Libraries amid allegations of irregularities in book procurement at Coimbatore’s Periyar Arivulagam library.
The 2012-batch IAS officer has been assigned additional charge of the Public Libraries Directorate, succeeding S. Jayanthi, who will continue as Chairperson of the Teachers Recruitment Board. The appointment comes amid growing scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the procurement of library books across Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu Government has reportedly appointed IAS officer R.V. Shajeevana as Director of Public Libraries, entrusting her with the responsibility as an additional charge. She succeeds IAS officer S. Jayanthi (2006 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre), who had been overseeing the directorate alongside her substantive assignment as Chairperson of the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB).
The administrative development comes at a sensitive juncture, as the state’s public library system faces scrutiny over alleged irregularities in book procurement, particularly in connection with the recently inaugurated Periyar Arivulagam library and science centre in Coimbatore.
Although multiple media reports have confirmed the appointment, the formal government order detailing the new assignment had not been issued at the time of reporting.
Shajeevana Takes Over Additional Charge from S. Jayanthi
S. Jayanthi had been holding additional charge of the Public Libraries Directorate while continuing to serve as Chairperson of the Teachers Recruitment Board. With Shajeevana’s reported appointment, the responsibility of overseeing the directorate’s functioning will now pass to another IAS officer. Jayanthi, meanwhile, will continue in her substantive position at the TRB.
The practice of assigning additional charge of the Public Libraries Directorate to serving officers has continued for several years. K. Elambahavath was among the exceptions, serving as Director from January 2022 to August 2024.
He was subsequently succeeded by P. Sankar (IAS, 2006 batch, Tamil Nadu cadre), who was later followed by Jayanthi under the additional-charge arrangement.
Appointment Comes Amid Periyar Arivulagam Book Procurement Controversy
Shajeevana’s reported appointment comes against the backdrop of allegations concerning the procurement of books for the Periyar Arivulagam library and science centre in Coimbatore.
The controversy gained prominence after noted Tamil writer Perumal Murugan questioned the authenticity, content and pricing of several publications stocked at the facility. He reportedly highlighted books containing factual inaccuracies, questionable authorship and potentially misleading historical information.
Concerns were also raised over the possibility that some publications contained AI-generated material, prompting questions about the standards adopted for evaluating and selecting books. Following the allegations, the state government initiated an inquiry into the procurement process.
School Education Minister A. Rajmohan stated that a complaint had been lodged with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). He also indicated that the government would examine book purchases made not only for the Coimbatore facility but also for other public libraries across Tamil Nadu. The DMK, however, has disputed the allegations and called for an independent investigation into the matter.
Who Is IAS Officer R.V. Shajeevana?
R.V. Shajeevana is a 2012-batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre. She holds a postgraduate degree in Zoology (MSc) and has served in several important administrative capacities during her career.
Her previous assignments include:
* District Collector, Theni: She has served as the District Collector of Theni, overseeing district administration and development-related responsibilities.
* Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women: She has also headed the organisation responsible for implementing various women’s development and empowerment initiatives.
* Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation: According to the Tamil Nadu Government’s IAS posting records, she was holding this position in May 2026.
Her latest assignment adds another significant administrative responsibility to her portfolio, placing her at the helm of the state’s public library administration.
Demand for a Dedicated Full-Time Public Libraries Director
The continued practice of assigning additional charge of the Public Libraries Directorate to officers holding other government positions has long been a concern among sections of the department.
In 2012, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Government to appoint a Director of Public Libraries possessing a qualification in Library Science. However, despite the judicial direction, the practice of entrusting the responsibility to serving officers with other administrative assignments has continued.
Librarians and employees associated with the directorate have repeatedly called for the appointment of a dedicated, full-time Director. They argue that the additional-charge arrangement has affected administrative continuity and the effective functioning of the department.
Shajeevana’s reported appointment therefore comes at a crucial time for the directorate, which is facing questions over procurement procedures, the quality of library collections and the need for stronger administrative oversight.
Her new assignment will be closely watched as the state government examines the allegations surrounding book purchases and addresses broader concerns regarding the management of public libraries across Tamil Nadu.
