Latest news with #TamilNaduPanchayatsAct
News18
03-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Governor Ravi Approves 2 Bills For Nominating Disabled People To Tamil Nadu Civic Bodies
Last Updated: Governor RN Ravi approved two bills allowing Tamil Nadu to nominate persons with disabilities for civil sector positions. CM MK Stalin acknowledged the approval. In an attempt to empower specially abled people in Tamil Nadu, Governor RN Ravi on Tuesday approved two bills that enable the state government to nominate persons with disabilities (PwDs) for undertaking positions in civil sector. With the approval, now the Tamil Nadu government can nominate PwDs for the municipal administration and rural development departments. In response, Chief Minister MK Stalin took a dig at Governor Ravi while acknowledging his decision of showing green signal to the bills. CM Stalin said, 'The Governor has approved the bill for disabled people today … It was expected as we passed it in the legislative resolution. Maybe he was afraid that we would go to court if he didn't give his assent." Notably, the bills amend two key state laws. The bills were presented and passed in the state assembly on April 16. It empowers the government with the authority to directly nominate PwDs to various departments of local governance. Earlier, representation of PwDs in local bodies in the state was extremely low, with only 35 such individuals serving in urban local bodies, according to media reports. The Governor's acceptance of the bills marks a key development, especially in light of a recent Supreme Court order in regard to the governors' constitutional responsibilities. Governor Ravi had earlier held back from approving several bills, prompting the state to petition the top court. In a landmark ruling, the court slammed the Governor's inaction as unconstitutional and unlawful, and directed that specific timelines be followed when dealing with bills. The bills were presented with focus on addressing historical under-representation and ensuring that PwDs have a formal voice in local governance. The amendments pertain to two significant laws, namely the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998, and the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994. They empower the state to nominate PwDs to a range of local bodies, including town panchayats, municipal councils, municipal corporations, village panchayats, panchayat union councils, and district panchayats. A main feature of the legislation is that it authorises state for direct nomination — bypassing the electoral process — thus reducing barriers to participation. Each local governance body must involve at least one nominated PwD, with councils of more than 100 members required to have two. The nominated PwD members will work for a period equal to that of elected representatives, which is generally a five-year term — and will be entitled to honoraria, allowances, and other benefits on par with elected councillors. However, they will be barred from voting in council decisions.
India Today
03-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Governor Ravi approves bills allowing disabled nominations to local bodies
Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has granted assent to bills that empower the state government to nominate persons with disabilities (PwDs) to positions in the municipal administration and rural development Minister MK Stalin took a dig at Ravi while acknowledging the governor's decision. 'The Governor has approved the bill for disabled people today ... It was expected as we passed it in the legislative resolution. Maybe he was afraid that we would go to court if he didn't give his assent,' Stalin told the bills, which amends two key state laws, was introduced and passed in the Assembly on April 16. It gives the government the authority to directly nominate PwDs to various departments of local governance. Prior to this, representation of PwDs in Tamil Nadu's local bodies was notably low, with only 35 individuals serving in urban local bodies, according to Ravi's assent marks a significant development, particularly in light of a recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the governors' constitutional responsibilities. Governor Ravi had earlier withheld assent to several bills, leading the state to petition the Supreme Court. In a landmark judgment, the court criticised the Governor's inaction as unconstitutional and unlawful, and directed that specific timelines be followed when dealing with the disability-related bills were not part of the case before the Supreme Court, the Governor's approval is seen as a step towards respecting legislative processes in the wake of the court's bills were introduced by the Tamil Nadu government with the aim of addressing historical under-representation and ensuring that PwDs have a formal voice in grassroots amendments pertain to two key laws: the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998, and the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994. They authorise the state to nominate PwDs to a range of local bodies, including town panchayats, municipal councils, municipal corporations, village panchayats, panchayat union councils, and district panchayats.A key feature of the legislation is that it allows for direct nomination — bypassing the electoral process — thus reducing barriers to participation. Each local body must include at least one nominated PwD, with councils of more than 100 members required to have members will serve a term equal to that of elected representatives — generally five years — and will receive honoraria, allowances, and other benefits on par with elected councillors. However, they will not possess voting rights in council decisions; their role will be advisory and representative.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Guv assent to two bills for naming PwDs to local bodies
Chennai: Governor R N Ravi has given assent to bills amending the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act and Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, enabling the state govt to nominate persons with disabilities (PwDs) to local bodies, a highly placed source told TOI. The amendments, passed by the assembly in April, aimed at increasing inclusivity and ensuring the voices of PwDs are heard, will result in the nomination of 650 PwDs in urban local bodies, 12,913 in village panchayats, 388 in panchayat unions, and 37 in district panchayats. "The Governor gave his assent to these two important pieces of legislation. The state govt will soon notify the rules defining the qualifications, rights, and responsibilities of these nominees, with the legislation taking effect from that date," an official said. The govt will nominate one PwD as a member in each of the local bodies. Councils exceeding 100 members will have two PwD nominated members. The term of office for these nominated members will be co-terminus with the duration of the council. Rajasthan was the first to nominate PwDs in urban local bodies; Chhattisgarh did so in rural local bodies. "Chief Minister M K Stalin realised our long-pending demand. From the days of a PwD getting rejected in Navamalkapper village in Villupuram in 2010, to 14,000 PwDs to be nominated soon, our struggle has come a long way. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo If only the PwDs form part of decision-making bodies, their rights will become a reality," said T M N Deepak, a disability rights activist. Disability groups want quotas for PwDs in assemblies and Parliament too. In its 2024 election manifesto, the Congress party pledged to provide reservation for PwDs in local bodies. TNCC Chief K Selvaperunthagai recently sent a communique to the chief ministers of the Congress-ruled states, Karnataka, Telangana, and Himachal Pradesh to follow Tamil Nadu.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
T.N. government to regulate hoardings, digital banners, and placards in rural local bodies
The hoardings, digital banners and placards installed in rural local bodies across the State are set to be regulated. A Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994, accordingly was tabled by Minister for Rural Development I. Periyasamy in the Assembly on Monday. It sought to empower the government in this regard, as Section 172-B of the Act only empowered the government to make rules for the manner of displaying advertisements but not regulate the installation of hoardings, digital banners, and placards. As per the Bill, the Block Development Officer (Village Panchayats) would receive applications with fee and grant or refuse licence. The Block Development Officer can also cancel or suspend the licence granted. The Block Development Officer is empowered to confiscate and remove any hoarding, digital banner, or placard installed without the necessary permissions. The Bill also seeks to authorise the Block Development Officer to issue notices and, eventually, remove any hoarding that is found to be hazardous or poses a disturbance to the safe movement of traffic.
