Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, Part IV, Section 2 Supplement, Number 50

What the Gazette governs

Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, Part IV, Section 2 Supplement, Number 50 contains several separate amending laws. It does not set out rules for land ownership, patta, registration, planning permission or property transfers. Its public health provisions can nevertheless affect the use of homes, shops, markets, offices, factories, warehouses and other premises during the control of a notified disease.

Cooperative societies

The Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Second Amendment Act, 2020 further amends the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies Act, 1983.

Key provisions include:

• The Registrar may extend the period stated in an order for special reasons recorded in writing, but the total extension cannot exceed one year.
• When a court stay or injunction prevents an election from being conducted, that period is excluded when calculating the relevant time.
• Where a cooperative society has no board, its general body may perform the function addressed by the amended provision.
• The amendment came into force immediately.

Fiscal responsibility

The Tamil Nadu Fiscal Responsibility Amendment Act, 2020 changes the Tamil Nadu Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2003.

• It revises the requirement for annually reducing the ratio of revenue deficit to revenue receipts, taking the prevailing economic situation into account.
• It requires elimination of the revenue deficit and continued maintenance of that position.
• The amendment comes into force on a date appointed by the State Government through notification.

Public health

The Tamil Nadu Public Health Amendment Act, 2020 and the Tamil Nadu Public Health Second Amendment Act, 2020 further amend the Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939.

Key provisions include:

• Obstructing or attempting to obstruct the burial or cremation of a person who died from a notified disease is punishable with imprisonment and a fine.
• Definitions are added for quarantine, preventive quarantine, police officer, social distancing and violence against personnel engaged in controlling infectious diseases.
• Authorities may regulate evacuation, medical examination, movement, quarantine, markets, transport, gatherings, offices, educational institutions, shops, factories, warehouses and essential services.
• Authorities may require distancing, face coverings and restrictions on spitting in public places.
• Violence against personnel engaged in disease prevention, treatment or control is prohibited and punishable with imprisonment and a fine.
• Rules, notifications and orders made under the public health law must be published and placed before the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.