Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary No. 364, Part IV, Section 2

What the Gazette contains

The Government of Tamil Nadu, Law Department, published Tamil Nadu Government Gazette Extraordinary Number 364 on 2 December 2008. It lists Acts numbered 47 to 62 of 2008, including amendments concerning municipal corporations, panchayats, town and country planning, cooperative societies and taxation. The supplied operative text, however, covers only Acts numbered 47 and 48.

Both Acts received the Governor's assent on 28 November 2008 and were published for general information.

Salary and allowance amendments

The Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries (Second Amendment) Act, 2008, Act Number 47 of 2008, further amends the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Act, 1951. It is treated as having come into force on 1 April 2008.

Key changes include:

• Monthly amounts in several provisions are increased, including changes from seven thousand rupees to eight thousand rupees and from eight thousand rupees to ten thousand rupees.
• Other monthly amounts are increased from two thousand rupees to three thousand rupees, from three thousand rupees to four thousand rupees, and from four thousand rupees to five thousand rupees.
• The constituency allowance is increased from four thousand rupees to five thousand rupees per month.
• The postal allowance is increased from one thousand and five hundred rupees to two thousand and five hundred rupees per month.

Protection of healthcare workers and property

The Tamil Nadu Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2008, Act Number 48 of 2008, is treated as having come into force on 18 July 2008.

It applies to government, local body and private healthcare institutions, including hospitals, maternity homes and nursing homes. Protected persons include registered medical practitioners, registered nurses, medical and nursing students, and paramedical workers employed and working in those institutions.

Key provisions are:

• Violence includes harm, injury, intimidation, obstruction or hindrance to healthcare personnel, and damage or loss to movable or immovable property, medical equipment or machinery.
• Committing, attempting, assisting or inciting violence is punishable with imprisonment of at least three years and up to ten years, together with a fine.
• Offences are cognizable and non-bailable.
• A court may require compensation for property damage or loss.
• Unpaid compensation may be recovered as an arrear of land revenue under the Tamil Nadu Revenue Recovery Act, 1864.
• The corresponding 2008 Ordinance is repealed, but actions already taken under it remain valid.