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Tamil Nadu Governor Clears Disability Nomination Bills After Supreme Court Rebuke

Modifying two key state acts, the legislation grants persons with disabilities nomination rights in local governance with equal term lengths, benefits on par with elected representatives.

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Overview

  • Governor R N Ravi gave assent on June 3 to two bills that will allow state government to nominate persons with disabilities to urban and rural local bodies following a top-court verdict.
  • The Supreme Court ruled in April that his earlier decision to withhold assent from several Assembly-passed bills was “illegal” and set deadlines for gubernatorial action subject to judicial review.
  • The amendments to the 1998 Urban Local Bodies Act and the 1994 Panchayats Act empower direct nomination of persons with disabilities to municipal corporations, councils, panchayats and district bodies.
  • Nominated members will serve five-year terms with honoraria and allowances equal to elected representatives, functioning in an advisory capacity without voting rights.
  • Chief Minister M K Stalin described the assent as expected and suggested the Governor may have acted to avoid another legal challenge.