CHENNAI: In a further setback to the government’s plan to shift the Anna Centenary Library (ACL), the Madras high court on Friday stayed the state’s proposal to construct an Integrated Knowledge Park at Nungambakkam and house the ACL there.

Pointing out that the controversial move to shift the library had already been stayed by an order dated November 4, the first bench comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam said, “Let it be made clear that this interim direction amounts to forbearing the state from proceeding to make any construction for the purpose of shifting the library. The present library shall function, as it is, without any sort of interference.”

The bench passed the interim order after senior counsel R Gandhi and P Wilson submitted that the November 1 cabinet decision and the November 2 government order to shift the ACL amounted to denial of people’s right to knowledge.

Pointing out that the government order sought to refund Rs 177 crore, utilized for the construction of the ACL, to the public library fund, Wilson said the same amount could be used to construct a new multi-specialty paediatric hospital instead of converting the ACL into a hospital. Also, as the ACL had obtained environmental clearance from the union ministry of environment and forests for a particular project and activity, the government now cannot seek to change the character of the building.