Latest news with #TamilNaduUrbanLocalBodiesRules
The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
Plea to remove unregulated barricades with advertisements installed on roads
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday sought response of the State to a public interest litigation petition seeking removal of unregulated barricades with advertisements installed on roads including the National and State Highways roads. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete sought response of the authorities to a petition filed by A. Azhagesan of Kanniyakumari district. The petitioner also sought a direction to instruct Corporation, Municipality and local bodies to give effect to Rule 326 (22) and Rule 337 (1) of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, frame standing orders for placement and procurement of barricades, reduce the size of the plate covers to one-fourth of the total width of the barricade for installing advertisements or police instructions making the road visible to riders, drivers and commuters, within a time frame. He said that in the last decade the number of vehicles plying on the roads had multiplied. It is just and necessary for the authorities to maintain the public roads and streets as road worthy and motorable for all categories of vehicles and ensure the safety and well being of the commuters. The authorities have undertaken no major scientific studies and no concrete effective steps to resolve the traffic problems, he complained. Barricades were being put up in the middle of the roads in an unplanned and unscientific manner posing a threat to the drivers and commuters. These barricades were put up at various junctions with an intention to reduce the speed of vehicles and also allow the pedestrians to cross the road. However, instead of reducing accidents, the barricades have been the reason for accidents including fatal ones. The barricades do not have any reflectors or warning sign boards, the petitioner said and sought a direction for removal of unregulated barricades. The case was posted for hearing after two weeks.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC orders special meeting to consider no-confidence motion against Karaikudi mayor
Madurai: Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Karaikudi corporation commissioner to convene a special council meeting to decide on the representation made by councillors to consider a no-confidence motion against mayor S Muthudurai of DMK. Justice C Saravanan passed the order while disposing of a petition filed by V Ramkumar, the AIADMK councillor of ward 22. The petitioner stated that out of the 36 councillors in the corporation, one councillor had resigned. Among them, he along with 22 councillors made a representation for initiating a no-confidence motion against the mayor, due to administrative inefficiency, public dissatisfaction, and failure to discharge duties in accordance with the law, on July 10. Despite the representation with the required quorum as per the statute, no action has been taken to convene the special meeting or process the same, he added. The petitioner stated that the inaction of the authorities is arbitrary, unreasonable and violative of the mandatory procedure laid down under Section 51 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act and Rule 161 (3) of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules. Hence, the petitioner moved court.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Concerns over Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules permitting hoardings in violation of road safety norms
Concerns have been raised over provisions in the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, which permit advertisements on medians, flyovers, barricades, and vehicles, allegedly in violation of Indian Road Congress (IRC) safety norms and earlier High Court directions. Rule 322(1) of the Rules allow hoardings and display materials to be installed on a range of public infrastructure, including flyover pillars, road medians, traffic barricades, streetlight poles, and moving vehicles fitted with digital screens. According to IRC 46:1972, advertisements are not permitted within 100 metres of road junctions (50 metres in urban areas), within 10 metres from the edge of the carriageway, or within the right-of-way of highways. Hanging banners across roads and flashing or moving-light advertisements—except for public information—are also prohibited. K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said the rule overlooks long-standing safety restrictions and judicial orders. 'Advertisements are being permitted in zones considered hazardous under IRC guidelines. These include areas near junctions, along highways, and even directly above carriageways,' he said. 'The rules must be withdrawn in their present form and redrafted in full compliance with IRC guidelines. Road safety cannot be compromised for the sake of revenue. We have urged the government to ensure that future regulations are framed with safety as the primary consideration,' he added. 'In earlier court proceedings in 2011, 2016, and 2017, the State itself acknowledged that advertisements on medians and barricades posed risks to drivers. Despite those submissions, the present rule reintroduces such practices. The High Court had also held that barricades should not be used for commercial advertisements, allowing only informative materials.' He further raised concern over the shift in licensing authority from District Collectors to urban local body officials, stating that it had resulted in reduced oversight and an increase in violations. The rules have been criticised for prioritising local body revenue over road safety, without consulting transport authorities. The Madras High Court has admitted the public interest litigation and directed officials to respond within eight weeks. Corporation officials said the matter will be looked into.
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Madurai Bench of Madras HC stays G.O. allowing shop licence renewal
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madrac High Court on Monday stayed the implementation of a government order (G.O.) passed on August 6, 2024, which permitted local bodies to grant renewal of shop licences to existing lessees. A bench of justices SM Subramaniam and AD Maria Clete passed the interim order on a Public Interest Litigation petition filed by C Sivaraj of Sivaganga. The petitioner claimed that Para 3 Clause VI of the G.O. says local body shall refix the rent within six months before the expiry of the lease period. If the existing lessees agree to the refixed rent, the licence may be renewed, he said. The above clause empowers municipal corporations to renew licences perpetually to the same lessees, the petitioner alleged, adding that this is in violation of Rule 316 of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023, that prohibits grant of extension or renewal of licence to same lessee.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Shops without Tamil signboards to be fined 2K
Chennai: Shops and establishments without signboards in Tamil as stipulated under the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act , 1948, will be fined 2,000 each, Greater Chennai Corporation has announced. Similarly, catering businesses without Tamil name boards will face a fine of up to 500 under the Tamil Nadu Catering Establishments Act, 1958. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Shop owners are expected to follow the font ratio of 5:3:2 for Tamil, English, and a third language, respectively. The move is part of a state-level initiative to use Tamil in public spaces. Committees have been formed in every district comprising the collectors, labour department officers, municipal officials, Tamil development department staff and representatives from trade and food associations. On Friday, a meeting was held by the labour department and GCC to inform traders about the new enforcement drive. Labour commissioner C A Raman chaired the session. Deputy commissioner (revenue & finance) M Birathiviraj said, "The meeting was an awareness session for all vendors and trade licence-holders. They requested three months to change the boards, which was granted." He added that GCC will ensure full compliance with the rule. GCC plans to inspect shops soon and will issue show-cause notices to those violating the rule. Licensees will be given seven days to respond before action is taken, including possible suspension or cancellation of their trade licence under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023. Deputy mayor M Mahesh Kumar said, "Over the years, GCC has constantly taken initiatives in mandating the Tamil signboards drive among vendors. In a Tamil-speaking community, a few may not be able to read English. Having Tamil signboards in addition to English signboards would be a great asset."
