Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Rural Development, I. Periyasamy, introduced a significant Bill in the Assembly on Thursday. This legislation aims to modify the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act of 1994, specifically extending the mandate of Special Officers overseeing Village Panchayats, Panchayat Union Councils, and District Panchayats across 28 districts. The proposed extension would prolong their tenure by an additional six months, pushing it until January 5, 2026.
This legislative proposal follows an earlier ordinance issued by the State government, which initially extended the term of these Special Officers in rural local bodies until January 5 of the upcoming year. Furthermore, the legislative session saw the introduction of another crucial Bill designed to amend the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (Additional Functions) Act, 2022. The primary objective, as outlined in the Bill’s Statement of Objects and Reasons, is to empower the TNPSC with the responsibility of recruiting individuals for non-teaching positions across the State’s 22 universities.
Adding to the legislative agenda, several other Bills were presented on Thursday. These included an amendment to the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University Act, 1996, and a revision to the Tamil Nadu Transparency in Tenders Act, 1998. The government also moved to repeal two specific existing enactments, indicating a comprehensive review and update of various state laws.