Ludhiana, April 6 -- The Panjab University Extension Library (PUEL), once a cherished hub of knowledge for students and book lovers, is now under scrutiny for its increasing membership fees and restricted operational hours, leaving many readers frustrated.

Established in July 1960 with funds from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the state government, local zilla parishad, and Panjab University, Chandigarh, PUEL has long served as a vital resource for academic and personal growth. However, over the years, changes in policy and rising costs have sparked concerns among its patrons.

Brij Bhushan Goyal, a former student worker at PUEL in 1972, expressing his disappointment, said, "The public library now demands a hefty security deposi...