Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020
The Government of Tamil Nadu, through the Law Department, published Act No. 24 of 2020, the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020, in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 1 October 2020, after the Governor gave assent on 30 September 2020. The Act came into force at once and amends sections 20 and 21 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, including by removing specified consultation wording concerning owners of land and buildings.
What the Act does
The Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020 further amends the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly enacted it, the Governor gave assent on 30 September 2020, and the Government of Tamil Nadu published it for general information on 1 October 2020. The notification is signed by C. Gopi Ravikumar, Secretary to Government, Law Department, by order of the Governor.
Act No. 24 of 2020 states that it comes into force at once.
Changes to section 20
Act No. 24 of 2020 makes the following changes in subsection (2) of section 20 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971:
- Clause (b) is omitted.
- Clause (c) is replaced with the words, “the area covered by the plan”.
The supplied text does not reproduce the former wording of clauses (b) or (c). It therefore does not show the full practical difference between the old and new provisions, apart from confirming the omission and replacement.
Change to consultation wording
The Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020 removes from section 21 the expression requiring consultation, in the prescribed manner, with owners of lands and buildings in the area.
For property owners, buyers and professionals, the direct point is that section 21 no longer contains that particular consultation wording. The supplied notification does not describe any replacement consultation process, notice procedure, objection period or hearing requirement.
Who may be affected
The Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020 is relevant to:
- Owners of land or buildings in an area addressed under section 21.
- Buyers and property professionals checking how planning processes refer to affected owners.
- People reviewing the contents or coverage of a plan under section 20.
The notification does not identify particular districts, planning areas or individual properties. It also does not state any fee, application process or compensation provision.
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
Does the amendment apply only to a particular district or planning area?
The Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020 does not name any particular district, planning area or property.
Are land and building owners still required to be consulted under section 21?
Act No. 24 of 2020 removes from section 21 the expression about consulting owners of lands and buildings in the prescribed manner. The supplied text does not state whether any other consultation process applies.
What does the amendment say a plan must cover?
The substituted clause (c) in section 20 refers to “the area covered by the plan”.
When did the amendment take effect?
The Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act, 2020 states that it comes into force at once. The Governor gave assent on 30 September 2020, and it was published on 1 October 2020.
