Latest news with #TamilNaduUrbanLocalBodiesAct
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.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Summer rain topples 10 hoardings in Madurai, raising safety alarm
Madurai: The recent summer showers, accompanied by strong winds, toppled around 10 hoardings across Madurai, exposing the unchecked rise of illegal advertising structures in the city. While the Madurai Corporation has granted permission for only 85 hoardings, officials say over 500 are currently installed within city limits — most of them unauthorized. The situation has sparked concerns over public safety and loss of civic revenue. Many of these hoardings flout safety norms and are placed in high-risk areas such as bridge entrances, medians, and narrow footpaths. "The number of illegal hoardings has gone up in the last two years. Some, like the one near Nataraja Theatre Bridge, are so close to the road that they look ready to fall," said R Sankar, a resident of Simmakkal. "We need stricter action before something tragic happens." Madurai Corporation commissioner Chithra Vijayan told TOI that a special drive is being launched to identify and dismantle unauthorized hoardings. "We've instructed advertising agencies to stick to the permitted count. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 25세 미만의 로봇 전투 애호가에게는 이 게임을 플레이하지 않는 것이 좋습니다. 기계 경기장 Undo Any violation will face strict action," she said. A senior corporation official added that while the city currently earns around `1.5 crore annually from hoardings, proper regulation could increase revenue by at least `5 crore. "We're now assigning serial numbers to all authorized hoardings. If residents see one without a number, they can report it directly to us." Industry insiders blame weak enforcement and outdated monitoring systems. "Many hoardings exceed legal size limits — some go far beyond the permitted 12x24 feet," said a hoarding agency representative. Though the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act mandates strict rules on licensing, safety, and size, lax enforcement has rendered many of its provisions ineffective. Civic activist V P Manikandan, who has consistently flagged the issue, warned of a looming disaster. "These structures are installed in hazardous locations with no regard for safety. Authorities usually act only after an accident. This isn't just about urban aesthetics — it's a life-and-death issue." Residents are also advocating safer alternatives. "Instead of giant, rusting boards, why not switch to compact digital hoardings that can be monitored centrally?" asked Selva Rani of Anna Nagar. "They're less intrusive and much safer."
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Law to regulate hoardings in rural local bodies on anvil, says Minister Periyasamy
CHENNAI: Rural Development Minister I Periyasamy on Monday introduced a Bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act 1994 (TNPA) to regulate the erection of hoardings, digital banners or placards in rural local bodies by inserting a new chapter for the purpose. The minister said TNPA empowers the government to make rules for the manner of displaying advertisements and the manner of removal of objectionable advertisement. But this Act does not have any provision to regulate the erection of hoardings, digital banners and placards in rural local bodies and hence the amendment Bill. The Bill said Section 131-A of the TNPA (which deals with the prohibition of the erection of certain hoardings) will be omitted, and a new chapter IX-B will be inserted. The new chapter gives an elaborate definition of digital banners, hoardings and placards. Every person who intends to erect hoardings at any place in a village panchayat should register his name with the BDO and pay the fee prescribed. The Bill also gives details about how unauthorised hoardings, banners and placards could be removed and where the prohibition of the erection of certain hoardings, banners and placards is applicable, etc. Whoever contravenes the provisions of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with a fine which may extend to Rs 25,000 or both. Meanwhile, Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru introduced a Bill to simplify the procedures for the issue of trade or business licence granted by urban local bodies under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998. 'The government proposed to reduce the interest rate for belated payment of property tax arrears. Also, in furtherance of the decriminalisation exercise, it is proposed to decriminalise certain other minor offences under the Act by providing adjudication and compounding mechanisms for the purpose,' the Bill added.
