Vidhi Codex

Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994

The Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994

Infrastructure1994271 sections13 chapters

The Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 establishes and regulates local self-government bodies across the state by creating a three-tier structure of Village Panchayats, Panchayat Union Councils, and District Panchayats. It applies to rural areas and specific local governance units, excluding some municipal corporations and cantonments under other laws. The Act defines how these bodies are elected and managed, including the roles of chairmen, commissioners, and collectors. It is significant because it forms the foundation of democratic governance in the countryside, allowing for localized decision-making and administration to improve public services and infrastructure for residents.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I Chapter I →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement
  2. 2Definitions

Chapter II Chapter II →

  1. 3Grama Sabha

Chapter III Chapter III →

  1. 4Formation of Panchayat Villages
  2. 5Extension of provisions of Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920 or of any Rules made there under
  3. 6Constitution of Village Panchayats and their incorporation
  4. 7Alteration of classification of Panchayat Villages
  5. 8Strength of a Village Panchayats
  6. 9Duration of Village Panchayats
  7. 10Village Panchayat.
  8. 11Panchayat.
  9. 12Division of Panchayat Village into Wards
  10. 13Term of office of Members
  11. 14Electoral roll for Village Panchayats
  12. 15Formation of Panchayat Union Council
  13. 16Constitution of Panchayat Union Councils and their incorporation
  14. 17Strength of a Panchayat Union Council
  15. 18Duration of Panchayat Union Council
  16. 19Election of Members of Panchayat Union Council
  17. 20Reservation of seats
  18. 21Division of Panchayat Union into Wards
  19. 22Term of office of Members
  20. 23Electoral roll for Panchayat Union Council
  21. 24Formation and incorporation of District Panchayat
  22. 25Constitution of District Panchayat
  23. 26Election of Members
  24. 27Determination of elected members after census
  25. 28Delimitation of Territorial Wards
  26. 29Term of office of Members
  27. 30Electoral roll for District Panchayat
  28. 31Duration of District Panchayat
  29. 32Provided that where a District Panchayat is dissolved within six months before the expiration of the said period of five years it shall not be necessary to hold any election to such District Panchayat.
  30. 33Qualification of candidates
  31. 34Disqualification of officers and servants of Government and Local Bodies, etc
  32. 35Disqualification of persons convicted of election offences
  33. 36Disqualification of voters
  34. 37Disqualification of candidates
  35. 38Disqualification of members
  36. 39Restoration of members to office
  37. 40Provided that a member shall not be restored more than twice during his term of office.
  38. 41Authority to decide Questions of disqualification or cessation of members
  39. 42President and Vice President of Village Panchayat
  40. 43Election of President
  41. 44Election of Vice President
  42. 45Cessation of office as President and Vice President
  43. 46Functions of the President
  44. 47Government to the Executive Authority.
  45. 48Delegation of functions of President
  46. 49Provided that he shall not delegate any functions which the Village Panchayat expressly prohibits him to delegate.
  47. 50Election of Chairman of Panchayat Union Council
  48. 51Election of Vice Chairman of Panchayat Union Council
  49. 52Functions of the Chairman
  50. 53Government to the Commissioner.
  51. 54Devolution and delegation of Chairman’s functions and filling up of vacancies in the office of Chairman
  52. 55Chairman and Vice Chairman of District Panchayat
  53. 56Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman of District Panchayat
  54. 57Reservation of seats in the office of President, Chairman, etc

Chapter IV Chapter IV →

  1. 58Infringement of secrecy of election
  2. 59Minimum penalty for personation at an election
  3. 60Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election
  4. 61Prohibition of public meeting on the day preceding the election day and on the election day
  5. 62Disturbances at election meeting
  6. 63Restriction on printing of pamphlets, posters, etc
  7. 64Officers, etc. at elections not to act for candidates or to influence voting
  8. 65Prohibition of canvassing in or near Polling Stations
  9. 66Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near Polling Stations
  10. 67Penalty for misconduct at the Polling Station
  11. 68Penalty of illegal hiring or procuring of conveyance at elections
  12. 69Breaches of official duty in connection with election
  13. 70Removal of ballot papers from Polling Station to be an offence
  14. 71Other offences and penalties therefor
  15. 72Cognizance of certain election offences
  16. 73Requisitioning of premises, vehicles, etc. for election purposes
  17. 74Payment of amount
  18. 75Power to obtain information
  19. 76Power of entry into and inspection of premises, etc
  20. 77Eviction from requisitioned premises
  21. 78Release of premises from requisition
  22. 79Delegation of function of the Government with regard to requisitioning
  23. 80Penalty for contravention of any order of requisitioning
  24. 81Rights of individual member
  25. 82No President, Vice President, Chairman, Vice Chairman or Member to receive remuneration

Chapter V Chapter V →

  1. 83Executive Authority of Village Panchayat
  2. 84Functions of Executive Authority
  3. 85Village Panchayat and of any committee thereof and shall be entitled to take part in the proceedings thereof, but shall not be entitled to vote or to move any resolution.
  4. 86Emergency powers of Executive Authority and Commissioner
  5. 87Secretary
  6. 88Functions, powers and duties of Secretary

Chapter VI Chapter VI →

  1. 89Presidency at meetings of Panchayat
  2. 90Meetings of Panchayat
  3. 91Members when to abstain from taking part in discussion and voting
  4. 92Minutes of Proceedings
  5. 93Power of Panchayat to call for records
  6. 94Substituted for the words “Chief Executive Officer” by Tamil Nadu Act 28 of 1998.
  7. 95Appointment of Joint Committees
  8. 96Committees
  9. 97Standing Committees
  10. 98Administration reports of Village Panchayats
  11. 99Administration report of Panchayat Union Councils and District Panchayats
  12. 100Acts of Village Panchayat, Panchayat Union Council and District Panchayat, etc. not to invalidated by infirmity vacancy, etc

Chapter VII Chapter VII →

  1. 101Establishment of Panchayats
  2. 102Conditions of service of officers and servants of Panchayats
  3. 103Appointment of common officers
  4. 104Councils for the purpose of exercising such powers and performing such duties as the Government may, by notification, specify.
  5. 105Power of Government to transfer officers and servants of District Panchayats
  6. 106Provided that such transfer shall not adversely affect the conditions of service of the officer or servant so transferred.
  7. 107Applicability of certain directions to Public Health Establishment
  8. 108Health Establishment of the Panchayat Union Councils shall also be applicable to the Public Health Establishment of Village Panchayats, subject to such conditions and modifications as may be specified in the notification.
  9. 109Health Assistants, Auxiliary Nurses, Mid-wives and Maternity Assistants in Public Health Establishment of Panchayat Union Councils to be Government servants

Chapter VIII Chapter VIII →

  1. 110Duty of Village Panchayat to provide for certain matters
  2. 111Power of Village Panchayat to provide for certain other matters
  3. 112Duty of Panchayat Union Council to provide for certain matters
  4. 113Entrustment of execution of National Extension Service Scheme of Community Development of Panchayat Union Councils
  5. 114Entrustment of certain schemes to Panchayat Union Councils
  6. 115Power of Panchayat Union Council to provide for certain other matters
  7. 116Common burial and burning grounds, etc
  8. 117Lighting of public roads and public places
  9. 118Maintenance of common dispensaries, child welfare centres, etc
  10. 119Transfer of immovable property, management of Institutions, execution of maintenance of works, etc. to a Village Panchayat
  11. 120Provided that no such transfer of immovable property shall be made without the consent of the Village Panchayat concerned.
  12. 121Power of Government to resume possession of unreserved forest vested in Village Panchayat and payment of compensation, etc
  13. 122Power of Commissioner of Land Administration to transfer or resume control of Endowments and Inams
  14. 123Government’s power to add to functions of Panchayat Union Council
  15. 124Limitation of power to accept donations and Trusts
  16. 125Vesting of public roads in Village Panchayat
  17. 126Vesting of public roads in Panchayat Union Councils
  18. 127Duty of Village Panchayat in respect of public roads excluded from the operation of the Act
  19. 128Precautions in case of dangerous structures
  20. 129Precautions in case of dangerous trees
  21. 130Fencing of buildings or land and pruning of hedges and trees
  22. 131Prohibition against obstructions in or over public roads, etc
  23. 132Vesting of communal property or income in Village Panchayat
  24. 133Maintenance of irrigation works, execution of Kudimaramat, etc
  25. 134Village Panchayat to regulate the use of certain Porambokes in ryotwari tracts
  26. 135Village Panchayat to regulate the use of certain communal lands in Estates governed by the Tamil Nadu Estates Land Act, 1908
  27. 136Collected rubbish, etc. to belong to Village Panchayat
  28. 137Immovable property required by Village Panchayats and Panchayat Union Councils may be acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894
  29. 138Contributions from persons having control over places of pilgrimage, etc
  30. 139Power to order closure of places of Public Entertainment
  31. 140Minor suffering from dangerous disease not to attend schools
  32. 141Compulsory vaccination
  33. 142Obligation to give information of small pox or cholera
  34. 143Precautions in case of dangerous tanks, wells, holes, etc
  35. 144Removal of filth or noxious vegetation from lands and buildings
  36. 145Power of Commissioner or Executive Authority to use or sell materials of dangerous structure taken down, etc
  37. 146Limitation of compensation
  38. 147Public Market
  39. 148Licensing of Private Markets
  40. 149Decision of disputes as to whether places are Markets
  41. 150Prohibition of sale in unlicensed Private Markets, etc
  42. 151Prohibition against sale in public roads
  43. 152Classification of Markets
  44. 153Acquisition of right of person to hold Private Market
  45. 154Inspector shall be final.
  46. 155Private cart-stand
  47. 156Public slaughter-houses
  48. 157Prohibition or regulation of the use of places for slaughtering animals and the licensing of slaughterers
  49. 158Numbering or naming of building, etc
  50. 159Purposes for which places may not be used without a licence
  51. 160Permission for construction of factories and the installation of machinery
  52. 161Power of Government to make Rules in respect of the grant and renewal of licences and permissions
  53. 162Modification of Tamil Nadu Places of Public Resort Act, 1888
  54. 163Functions of District Panchayat
  55. 164General Powers of District Panchayat
  56. 165Panchayat shall have the power to do all things necessary for the effective discharge of the duties and functions conferred upon it under this Act.
  57. 166Returns and Reports of District Panchayat

Chapter IX Chapter IX →

  1. 167Local Cess
  2. 168Local Cess Surcharge
  3. 169Rules regarding collection of Local cess, Local Cess Surcharge and Surcharge on the Duty on transfers of property
  4. 170Land Revenue Assignment
  5. 171Taxes leviable by Village Panchayats
  6. 172House-tax
  7. 174Appeal against assessments
  8. 175Duty on transfer of property
  9. 176Exemption
  10. 177Power to require land revenue staff to collect taxes and fees due to Village Panchayats
  11. 178Write-off of irrecoverable amounts
  12. 179Local Education Grant
  13. 181Classification of Panchayat Development Blocks
  14. 185Constitution of Panchayat Union Fund and Village Panchayat Fund
  15. 186Panchayat Union (General) Fund
  16. 187Panchayat Union (Education) Fund
  17. 188Village Panchayat Fund
  18. 189District Panchayat (General) Fund
  19. 190Application of moneys received and expenditure from funds
  20. 191Expenditure from Village Panchayat Fund and Panchayat Union Fund
  21. 192Preparation and sanction of Budgets
  22. 193Appointment of Auditors
  23. 194Contribution to expenditure by other Local Authorities
  24. 195Recovery of loans and advances made by Government
  25. 196Application of certain sections to this Act to District Panchayat
  26. 197Certain powers and functions of District Panchayat to be notified by the Government
  27. 198Finance Commission

Chapter X Chapter X →

  1. 199Appointment of officers to supervise Panchayats
  2. 200Government may appoint one or more officers for each district to supervise the work of Panchayats and to perform such other duties as may be imposed upon them by or under this Act.
  3. 201Powers of officers for purpose of control
  4. 202Powers to suspend or cancel resolution, etc. under the Act
  5. 203Emergency powers of Collector and Inspector
  6. 204Power to take action in default of a Village Panchayat, President or Executive Authority, etc
  7. 205Removal of President
  8. 206Removal of Vice President
  9. 207Removal of Chairman of Panchayat Union Council
  10. 208Removal of Vice Chairman of Panchayat Union Council
  11. 209Removal of Chairman of District Panchayat
  12. 210Removal of Vice Chairman of District Panchayat
  13. 211Motion of no confidence in Vice President of Village Panchayat
  14. 212Motion of no confidence in Chairman or Vice Chairman of Panchayat Union Council
  15. 213Motion of no confidence in Chairman or Vc of District Panchayat
  16. 214Dissolution of Village Panchayat
  17. 215Dissolution of Panchayat Union Council
  18. 216Dissolution of District Panchayat
  19. 217Powers of officers acting on behalf of Panchayat and liability for payment of compensation
  20. 218Delegation of powers
  21. 219Revision

Chapter XI Chapter XI →

  1. 220General provisions regarding licences and permissions
  2. 221Government and Market Committees not to obtain licence and permission
  3. 222Time for complying with notice, order, etc. and power to enforce in default
  4. 223Power of entry and inspection
  5. 224Testing of weights and measures
  6. 225Power to call for information from Village Administrative Officer
  7. 226Limitation for recovery of dues
  8. 227Persons empowered to prosecute
  9. 228Substituted for the words "Chief Executive Officer" by Tamil Nadu Act 28 of 1998.
  10. 229Substituted for the words "Chief Executive Officer" by Tamil Nadu Act 28 of 1998.
  11. 230Sanction of prosecution
  12. 231Notice of action against Village Panchayat, etc
  13. 232Protection of Chairman, President and officers acting in good faith
  14. 233Injunction not to be granted in election proceedings
  15. 234Liability of the President, Executive Authority and Members, etc. for loss, waste or misapplication of property
  16. 235Assessment etc. not to be impeached
  17. 236Public roads, Markets, Wells, Tanks, etc. to be open to all
  18. 237Powers to farm out fees
  19. 238Adjudication of disputes between local authorities
  20. 239Tamil Nadu State Election Commission
  21. 240Preparation of Development Plan
  22. 241District Planning Committee
  23. 242Power of Government to make Rules

Chapter XII Chapter XII →

  1. 243Penalties for breach of Rules
  2. 244Bye-laws and penalties for their breach
  3. 245General provisions regarding penalties specified in the schedules
  4. 246Penalty for acting as Member, President or Vice President of a Village Panchayat or as Member, Chairman or Vice Chairman of a Panchayat Union Council or District Panchayat when disqualified
  5. 247Panchayat or as a Member, Chairman or Vice Chairman of a Panchayat Union Council or District Panchayat shall, on conviction by a Criminal Court, be disqualified from being a member, President, Vice President or Chairman, as the case may be.
  6. 248Provided further that nothing in this section shall apply to any person who enters into a contract with the Panchayat as a consumer of any service supplied by the Panchayat.
  7. 249Prohibition against obstruction of Panchayats
  8. 250Prohibition against removal of obliteration of notice
  9. 251Penalty for not giving information or giving false information

Chapter XIII Chapter XIII →

  1. 252Construction of reference to a Panchayat, etc
  2. 253Special provision relating to newly constituted Panchayats
  3. 254Construction of reference to “Local Boards”, Madras Local Boards Act, 1920, etc
  4. 255Repeal and Savings
  5. 256Power to remove difficulties
  6. 257Power, Authority and Responsibilities of Panchayats
  7. 258Election Petitions
  8. 259Grounds for declaring elections to be void
  9. 260Corrupt practices
  10. 261Transitory provision
  11. 262Rules, Notifications and Orders to be placed before the Legislative Assembly
  12. 263Power of Government to remove the Special Officer
  13. 264Section 263 inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 21 of 1996.
  14. 265Section 264 inserted by Tamil Nadu Act 21 of 1996.
  15. 266Validation of acts of the Special Officers
  16. 267Amendment of certain Acts
  17. 268Power of Government to remove difficulties

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