Bill to enable direct election to Mayor posts moved

He also introduced a Bill to amend the election method for Mayors and heads of local bodies from indirect to direct election. However, the Opposition led by the DMK objected to the extension of Special Officers’ term in the introduction stage itself.

“Because of the pendency of cases in the High Court of Madras and the Supreme Court, ordinary elections to the local bodies could not be conducted till date,” Velumani observed. He also noted that the delimitation of territorial wards based on the last census (2011) is being undertaken. The Delimitation Commission is tasked to submit its report before January 31, to enable the state to act on it before February 28.

“As the term of office of the Special Officers, was due to expire on December 31, 2017, and ordinary elections could not be conducted before that date, the government, therefore, decided to amend the Act extending the term of the said officials for a further period of six months up to June 30, 2018.

Accordingly, the Governor has promulgated an Ordinance on December 28, 2017. The Bills seeks to replace the said Ordinance,” the Minister said.

Velumani also introduced a Bill to amend the method of election of Mayors, Chairmen of municipalities and town panchayats, from indirect to direct one. He observed that the changes were being effected following feedback from public, elected representatives and heads of the departments, among others.

Other Bills introduced include provision to levy property tax to educational institutions, fixing qualification for members of search committee and for VC to Dr MGR Medical University and fixing timeframe for the search committee to make its recommendation.