CHENNAI: With the Chief Minister's Office set to occupy the 10th floor of the Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai (NKM), including its spacious conference hall, government departments have begun looking for alternative venues outside the Secretariat to conduct large-scale review meetings.

Officials said renovation and remodelling work is currently under way on the 10th floor ahead of the Chief Minister's Office shifting to the premises. As a result, departments have been unable to hold review meetings, including pre-Budget discussions, at the conference hall, which was earlier the preferred venue for such meetings.

"The pre-Agriculture Budget consultation was held at the Anna Centenary Library on Monday, which is primarily meant for educational and literary activities," an official said.

Officials noted that the conference hall on the 10th floor could accommodate around 20 people in a single row on the dais, making it suitable for meetings involving several Ministers and senior officials. At the pre-Agriculture Budget meeting held at the Anna Centenary Library, however, all 11 Ministers could not be seated on the stage in a single row due to space constraints.

Meanwhile, readers and competitive examination aspirants have expressed concern over the use of the Anna Centenary Library for large government meetings.

"When large-scale official meetings are held at the library, there is a heavy influx of visitors, which disrupts the peaceful atmosphere required for reading and preparation. It affects the learning environment of the library," said S Kumar, a competitive examination aspirant.

Officials said Kalaivanar Arangam, located close to the Secretariat, is being considered as a possible venue for future large-scale government meetings.