The Tamil Nadu Municipal Councils (Appointment of Special Officers) Act, 1991
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly enacted The Tamil Nadu Municipal Councils (Appointment of Special Officers) Act, 1991, published as Act No. 14 of 1991, to let the State Government appoint Special Officers to run Municipal Councils in Tamil Nadu instead of the councils, chairmen and committees under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920. The source text also shows that this Act was later amended by Act No. 14 of 1992, Act No. 45 of 1992 and Act No. 31 of 1993, which extended the period for which those Special Officers could hold office.
What this Act does
The Tamil Nadu Municipal Councils (Appointment of Special Officers) Act, 1991, published as Act No. 14 of 1991, provides for the appointment of Special Officers to Municipal Councils in the State of Tamil Nadu.
It overrides the normal position under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920, and allows the State Government to appoint Special Officers to exercise the powers and perform the functions of:
- Municipal Councils established or constituted under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920
- the Chairmen of those Municipal Councils
- the Committees established or constituted under that Act
Who it affects
The Tamil Nadu Municipal Councils (Appointment of Special Officers) Act, 1991 affects:
- Municipal Councils in Tamil Nadu governed by the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920
- Chairmen and committees of those councils
- executive authorities and other officers or authorities functioning under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920
- residents, property owners and professionals dealing with municipalities, because municipal powers were to be exercised through Special Officers during the period stated in the Act
Key provisions
The Tamil Nadu Municipal Councils (Appointment of Special Officers) Act, 1991 says that:
- the State Government shall appoint Special Officers
- one Special Officer may be appointed for one or more Municipal Councils, if the State Government specifies this by order
- a Special Officer may also exercise any or all powers and functions of the executive authority or any other officer or authority under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920, if the State Government specifies this by notification
- the executive authority is subject to the control and superintendence of the Special Officer when exercising powers and performing functions under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920
- payment for the services of a Special Officer shall be made from the municipal fund constituted under section 119 of the District Municipalities Act
- if a vacancy arises in the post of Special Officer, the State Government shall fill it, and the replacement holds office for the remainder of the specified period
Period of office shown in the source text
The source text shows that the office period for Special Officers was amended more than once.
- Act No. 14 of 1992 substituted the earlier end date with 30th day of September 1992
- Act No. 45 of 1992 substituted that with 30th day of September 1993
- Act No. 31 of 1993 substituted that with 31st day of May 1994
For anyone checking old municipal authority arrangements, the source text indicates that the period of Special Officer administration was extended through these amendments.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Did this Act replace elected Municipal Councils with Special Officers?
The source text says the State Government shall appoint Special Officers to exercise the powers and perform the functions of Municipal Councils, their Chairmen and their Committees under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, 1920.
Can one Special Officer be put in charge of more than one municipality?
Yes. The source text says a Special Officer may be appointed for one or more Municipal Councils, as the State Government may specify by order.
Who controls the executive authority during the Special Officer period?
The source text says the executive authority, while exercising powers and performing functions under the Tamil Nadu District Municipalities Act, is subject to the control and superintendence of the Special Officer.
Was the Special Officer arrangement temporary or extended later?
The source text shows it was extended by later amendment Acts. Act No. 14 of 1992, Act No. 45 of 1992 and Act No. 31 of 1993 each changed the end date, with the last amendment in the source text substituting 31st day of May 1994.
