Ravichandran v. The Director Of Public Library
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 07.06.2024
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.SURESH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN Ravichandran : Petitioner Vs.
1.The Director of Public Library, Office of the Directorate of Public Library, Annasalai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.The District Collector, District Collector office, 3.The District Library Officer, District Library Office, Sivagangai - 630 561.
4.The Tahsildar, Manamadurai Taluk Office, Sivagangai District.
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5.The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Manamadurai - 630 606.
6.The Panjayathu Secretary, Muthanandal Village Panjayathu, Manamadurai - 630 602.
7.The Panjayathu President, Muthanandal Village Panjayathu, Manamadurai - 630 602.
: Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to establish library in Muthanendal Panchayathu Village in Government land in survey No.329/2, to an extent of 55 cents which is situated in Vakudi Revenue Village, Manamadurai Taluk, Sivagangai District for the welfare of the common people, college students, school students and children of the petitioner's village based on the representations on 02.05.2024 and 20.05.2024, within a stipulated time that may be fixed by this Court. 2/8
For Petitioner : Mr.S.Balasubramanian For Respondents : Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Pleader
O R D E R
************ [Order of the Court was made by R.SURESH KUMAR, J.] The prayer sought for herein is for a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to establish library in Muthanendal Panchayathu Village in Government land in survey No.329/2, to an extent of 55 cents which is situated in Vakudi Revenue Village, Manamadurai Taluk, Sivagangai District, for the welfare of the common people, college students, school students and children of the petitioner's village based on the representations dated 02.05.2024 and 20.05.2024.
2.Heard the learned Counsel on either side.
3.The petitioner belongs to the village called Muthanandal in Manamadurai Taluk, Sivagangai District, claiming to be a public spirited person. In his village, there has been a library functioning in a building which is being utilised also as a Panchayat Board 3/8
building and the panchayat office also is located in the same building. Therefore, the library is not properly functioning and the readers of the library are not having peaceful reference of the books which are available in the library. Therefore, in order to have a library with all facilities, a separate building if it is constructed where if the library is located that will be more helpful to the village people. In this regard, he has given representations on 02.05.2024 and 20.05.2024 to the respondents. Unfortunately, the said representations are still pending and no action has been taken. Hence, the petitioner has approached this Court by filing this writ petition.
4.The learned Government Pleader would submit that the library is already functioning in a pukka constructed building and now the petitioner has given a representation to construct a new library, that too in an extent of 55 cents, which is thoroughly impossible, as it is a small village for which the present library is enough to cater the needs of the villagers. If at all a separate building has to be constructed, it is up to the Government to take a policy decision depending upon the need. The learned Government Pleader further submitted that the said representations have been submitted only on 02.05.2024 and 20.05.2024 and hence, atleast 4/8
some breathing time has to be given to the respondents to consider the said representation, before which the petitioner has rushed to this Court. Therefore, for all these reasons, this writ petition has to be dismissed, he contended.
5.We have carefully considered the submissions made on either side and perused the materials available on record. 6.Insofar as the said claim made by the petitioner on behalf of the village people to have a separate building with all facilities to locate the library, the representations submitted by the petitioner dated 02.05.2024 and 20.05.2024 can be directed to be considered by the respondents on merits and in accordance with law. Therefore, there shall be a direction to the second respondent to consider the representations of the petitioner dated 02.05.2024 and 20.05.2024 and pass necessary orders thereat on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of two [2] months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
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7.Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
[R.S.K.,J.] & [G.A.M.,J.] 07.06.2024 Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes/No MR To 1.The Director of Public Library, Office of the Directorate of Public Library, Annasalai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.The District Collector, District Collector office, 3.The District Library Officer, District Library Office, Sivagangai - 630 561.
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4.The Tahsildar, Manamadurai Taluk Office, Sivagangai District.
5.The Block Development Officer, Block Development Office, Manamadurai - 630 606.
6.The Panjayathu Secretary, Muthanandal Village Panjayathu, Manamadurai - 630 602.
7.The Panjayathu President, Muthanandal Village Panjayathu, Manamadurai - 630 602.
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R.SURESH KUMAR, J.
and G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.
MR ORDER MADE IN 07.06.2024 8/8