State Library case full orderHON’BLE MR.MUNISHWAR NATH BHANDARI, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE P.D.AUDIKESAVALU W.P.No.23 of 2022 M.Nagarajan .. Petitioner. For the Petitioner : Mr.K.Selvaraj For the Respondents : Mrs.Mythreye Chandru Spl. GP (Edn.) ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice)

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 06.01.2022
CORAM :
THE HON’BLE MR.MUNISHWAR NATH BHANDARI,
ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE P.D.AUDIKESAVALU
W.P.No.23 of 2022
M.Nagarajan .. Petitioner
Vs.
1.The State of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary, School Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Director of Public Libraries,
Directorate of Public Libraries,
LLA Building,
737/1, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002.
3.The District Library Officer,
District Central Library, 87/9A, Pavali Road,
Virudhunagar – 626 001.
4.The Librarian,
Branch Library, Iluppaiyur,
Tiruchuzhi – Via,
Virudhunagar District. .. Respondents
Prayer: Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking
issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to
forthwith renovate the building of the Branch Library at Iluppaiyur Village, via Tiruchuzhi, Virudhunagar District by considering and passing necessary orders on the representation of the petitioner
dated 20.10.2021.
For the Petitioner : Mr.K.Selvaraj
For the Respondents : Mrs.Mythreye Chandru
Spl. GP (Edn.)
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice)
The public interest litigation has been filed to seek a direction on the respondents to renovate the building of the Branch Library at Iluppaiyur Village, via Tiruchuzhi, Virudhunagar District by considering and passing necessary orders on the representation of the petitioner dated 20.10.2021.
2. It is submitted by learned counsel for the petitioner that the library building was constructed in the year 1966. Looking to the condition of the building, it needs to be renovated immediately, otherwise any mishap can take place and, accordingly, this public interest litigation has been filed.
3. Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents has placed on record the written instructions to show that the public library in Iluppaiyur was established on 18.6.1966. Land to the extent of 3800 sq.ft. was donated by the public to construct an own building of the Branch Library on 21.1.1989. A new own building of 600 sq.ft was constructed by the Public Works Department with the Local Library Authority Fund in the year 1991 and the Branch Library is functional in the own building. So far as the damaged building is concerned, in the absence of funds, renovation work could not be taken up, but efforts are being taken by the respondents to renovate the old building with M.P. or M.L.A. funds. In view of the above, the prayer is to dismiss the writ petition, as necessary steps have already been taken by the respondents for the safety of the public.
4. We have considered the submission made by learned
counsel for the parties and find that the library building constructed in the year 1966 is not being used as library and it has been shifted to a new building constructed by the Public Works Department from the Local Library Authority Fund. The construction was completed in the year 1991 and the Branch Library is operational at the said building. The fact regarding shifting of the library from the old building to the newly constructed own building has not been disclosed by the petitioner, rather it has been suppressed. In any case, the respondents are trying even to get the funds for
renovation of the old building.
In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents to make earnest efforts to get the funds so that the old Branch Library building is renovated and put to use. No costs. Consequently, W.M.P.No.27 of 2022 is closed.
(M.N.B., ACJ.) (P.D.A., J.)
06.01.2022
Index : Yes/No sasi
To:
1.The Secretary,
State of Tamil Nadu,
School Education Department, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009.
2.The Director of Public Libraries,
Directorate of Public Libraries,
LLA Building, 737/1, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600 002.
3.The District Library Officer,
District Central Library, 87/9A, Pavali Road, Virudhunagar – 626 001.
4.The Librarian,
Branch Library, Iluppaiyur, Tiruchuzhi – Via,
Virudhunagar District.
M.N.BHANDARI, ACJ
AND
P.D.AUDIKESAVALU,J.
(sasi)

W.P.No.23 of 2022

06.01.2022