Writ petition filed under Article 226 directing the State of Tamil Nadu to establish various special libraries. The Court noted that seven libraries were already set up and only the Keezhadi library was pending due to execution delays, with foundation stone laid. The grievance deemed redressed.
Writ Petition closed with no order as to costs.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
W.P.[MD]No.4472 of 2021
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED: 11.06.2021
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.S.SIVAGNANAM and THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.ANANTHI
W.P.[MD]No.4472 of 2021
R.Venkatesan
... Petitioner
Vs.
represented by the Principal Secretary,
Department of School Education,
State of Tamil Nadu,
State Secretariat, Fort.St.George,
Chennai-600 009.
represented by the Principal Secretary,
Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments, State of Tamil Nadu, State Secretariat Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.
The Principal Secretary,
Adi Dravidar Welfare, Hill Tribes Department,
State of Tamil Nadu State Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.
represented by the Principal Secretary,
Department of Higher Education including Science
and Technology, State of Tamil Nadu, State Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai-600 009.
P RAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to immediately take action to establish 'Library on Ancient Civilizations' at Keezhadi, 'Fine Art Library' at Thanjavur, https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 'Library on Tamil Medicine' at Tirunelveli, ' Library on Mathematics
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and Science' at Tiruchy, 'Library on Tribal Culture' at Nilgiris and 'Astrological Library' in Coimbatore, that are announced to be established in the year 2017-2018 in 'Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly' in accordance with law within the time stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Alagumani For Respondents : Mr.S.Baskaran Standing counsel for Government
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by T.S.SIVAGNANAM, J. ]
We have heard Mr.R.Alagumani, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.S.Baskaran, learned Government counsel appearing for the respondents.
2 . The Writ Petition has been filed by the petitioner for a direction to the respondents to immediately take action to establish 'Library on ancient civilizations' at Keezhadi, 'Fine Art Library' at Thanjavur, 'Library on Tamil Medicine' at Tirunelveli, 'Library on Mathematics and Science' at Trichy, 'Library on Tribal Culture' at Nilgiris and 'Astrological Library' in Coimbatore, that are announced to be established in the year 2017-2018 in 'Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly' in accordance with the law.
3 . A counter affidavit has been filed by the fifth respondent. The operative portion of the counter affidavit reads as follows:-
“ 16. It is humbly submitted that out of all announcement announced by the Hon'ble Minister for School Education in the Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly during the year 2017-18 regarding the establishment of 8 Special Libraries in Tamil Nadu, 7 Special Libraries viz., Special Library on Tamil Music, Dance and Fine Arts at Thanjavur, Special Library on Folk Arts at Madurai, Special Library on Tamil Medicine at Tirunelveli, Special Library on Tribal Culture at the Nilgiris, Special Library on Mathematics, Science at Trichy, Special Library on Astronomy and Innovative Inventions at Coimbatore, Special Library on Printing Art at Chennai have been set up and opened for the people. However, amidst the execution of excavation works carried out at Keeladi, the Ancient Indus Valley Civilization Library could not be set up and brought to the usage of the people in time. Further, it is https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ submitted that an amount of Rs.1 Crore has been handed
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over to the Archeological Department by the Public Libraries Department. The foundation stone has been laid by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 20.07.2020 and the construction work has been started. The work is expected to be completed before October 2021.
17. In the present educational scenario, students require attention in retaining our unique cultural identity in its rich diversity, these special libraries encourage the students in pursuit of our arts and culture. These Theme Based Libraries on Tamil Music, Dance, Medicine, Folk Arts, gives a holistic knowledge to the layman, general public, students and researchers in way not only through books but also the real time models, costumes, cosmetics, medicinal plants, herbs, materials, musical instruments and Audio visual resources. Theme based library on Astronomy and Innovative inventions supports the natural way of learning of students and helps them recognize the interconnectedness of the universe we live in leads to more creativity and innovation in their thinking. Theme based library on Printing Technology creates an environment where users acquire a taste of lifelong learning on printing and interconnection of printing and library resources. Users are motivated and excited to find out more on their own on the themes and the concepts of theme based libraries.
18. Further, it is submitted that out of eight Special Libraries, seven Libraries have been functioning in the Districts and catering the needs for which they are established. The remaining one Special Library on Indus Valley Civilization, Keeladi provides authentic record of knowledge, activities, objects, materials, inscriptions, created and accumulated by past generation which will be immensed use to the researchers, Historians to study the traditions, customs, habits, life style and trade of our ancestors and also to the young students of current generation to understand the importance and value our oldest civilization. This special library on Indus Valley Civilization alone has to be established and the construction work have been initiated by the Archaeological Department after five phases of intensive excavation work and the construction work, under process will be completed shortly.”
4 . In the light of the above, it is seen that the grievance expressed by the petitioner stands redressed. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/
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5 . Therefore, the Writ Petition stands closed. There shall be no order as to costs.
Assistant Registrar (CS-I)
// True Copy //
/ /2021
Sub Assistant Registrar(CS)
tsg/rm Note : In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned .
To
Directorate of Public Library, 737/1,Anna Salai, Chennai-600 002.
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W.P.[MD]No.4472 of 2021
+1 CC to M/s.SPL GP ( SR-19350[F] dated 15/06/2021 )
W.P.[MD]No.4472 of 2021
11.06.2021
KB(18.06.2021) 5P 7C
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3 issues framed by the court
Whether the petitioners' grievance regarding the non-establishment of the Ancient Indus Valley Civilization Library at Keezhadi is redressed by the respondents showing that construction has commenced.
Whether the Writ Petition for direction to establish special libraries should be allowed.
Whether to grant any relief or close the petition given the status of the library establishment.
1 provisions across 1 enactments
R.Venkatesan
State of Tamil Nadu
T.S.Sivagnanam
S.Ananthi
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
