Local government in Tamil Nadu

[1] Chennai Corporation (now in Tamil Nadu) in the then Madras Presidency, established in 1688, is the oldest such local body not only in India but also in any commonwealth nations outside United Kingdom.

Laudable efforts of Ripon brought legislation in this aspect which created unions in small towns and villages, to facilitate proper sanitation and lighting.

[5] Though urbanisation was less prevalent those days, Chennai (erstwhile Madras) had the honour of having such Municipal Corporation status even in 1688.

[6] Independent India heard many voices for the revival and strengthening of the Village panchayats, Mahatma Gandhi insisted upon this for achieving Swaraj completely covering all the corners of this country.

[7] From then, there came many legislation to ensure effective system of Local governance in Tamil Nadu.

They are responsible for the implementation of various centrally sponsored, state-funded, and externally aided schemes for provision of basic amenities and other services to the people.

This classification is rooted in terms of living standards in the context of urban and rural agglomeration.

According to 2011 census of India, Tamil Nadu has about 48.45% of total population living in urbanised areas.

Tamil Nadu has 25 municipal corporations: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Tiruppur, Erode, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Thoothukudi, Dindigul, Thanjavur, Hosur, Nagercoil, Avadi, Tambaram, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Karur, Kumbakonam, Sivakasi, Pudukottai, Karaikudi, Tiruvannamalai and Namakkal.

[13] Their elected representatives include ward councillors and a presiding officer, Municipal Chairperson.

Town Panchayat (Tamil: பேரூராட்சிகள்) is the body of government for areas in transition form ‘rural’ to ‘urban’.

Tamil Nadu is the first state to introduce such a classification in urban local bodies.

It is headed by a panchayat union chairperson, who is elected indirectly by the ward members of the council.

Maintenance of clean environment, primary health facilities gain the foremost importance.

Apart from them water supply, roads and buildings, storm-water drains, street lighting, solid waste management, sanitation and bus-stands cum commercial complexes etc are the prime duties of the local bodies.