Tamil Nadu Assembly Approves Nine Legislative Measures in Key Session
The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, convening in Chennai on Friday, successfully passed a total of nine Bills, marking a significant legislative push aimed at addressing critical issues ranging from water resource management to educational affordability and cooperative governance. The session underscored the state government's commitment to enacting comprehensive policies through participatory and equitable frameworks.
New Water Resources Legislation for Holistic Governance
Among the most notable enactments is the Tamil Nadu Water Resources (Regulation, Management and Augmentation) Bill, 2026. This pioneering legislation is designed to establish a uniform regulatory system across the state, ensuring the sustainable and efficient management of water resources. The Bill adopts an integrated approach, encompassing groundwater, surface water, wastewater, and river basins under a single institutional framework.
Key provisions of the Water Resources Bill include:
- Creation of the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Management Authority to oversee statewide implementation.
- Formation of district-level committees to facilitate localized governance and planning.
- Development of comprehensive state and district water resources management plans.
- Regulation of both existing and new commercial water users to prevent over-exploitation.
- Introduction of a water tariff system for water abstraction, promoting responsible usage.
- Implementation of measures for effective flood management and mitigation strategies.
By emphasizing participatory governance, the legislation aims to achieve equity, efficiency, and long-term sustainability in water resource utilization, addressing growing concerns over water scarcity and mismanagement.
Amendment to School Fee Act Eases Financial Burden on Parents
In a move to alleviate the financial strain on families, the Assembly passed a Bill amending the Tamil Nadu Schools (Regulation of Collection of Fee) Act, 2009. This amendment empowers the state government to set a statutory cap on fees charged by private schools, ensuring affordability and transparency.
State Minister for School Education, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, outlined the key changes in the statement of objectives and reasons:
- Inclusion of a parent member from the Tamil Nadu State Parent-Teachers Association in the seven-member fee committee, providing direct parental representation.
- Replacement of the Director of Matriculation Schools with the Director of Private Schools on the panel to better align with administrative needs.
- Nomination of a government officer, not below the rank of Deputy Secretary, to ensure administrative flexibility and continuity in decision-making.
- Extension of the objection period against fee structure decisions from 15 days to 30 days, allowing parents more time to respond.
- Mandatory submission of fee revision applications once every three years, preventing frequent and arbitrary fee hikes.
These amendments are expected to foster a more balanced and accountable fee regulation mechanism, directly benefiting households across the state.
Co-operative Societies Bill Re-Passed Amid Gubernatorial Controversy
The Assembly also re-passed the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which had previously been returned by Governor R.N. Ravi. Initially cleared on December 10, 2024, the Bill was sent back on June 16 last year, with the Governor citing concerns that certain provisions violated constitutional principles and natural justice.
During the debate following the Bill's reintroduction, several opposition leaders voiced strong objections to the Governor's actions:
- Congress floor leader K. Selvaperunthagai criticized the move as undermining the authority of the state legislature.
- PMK floor leader G.K. Mani and others accused the Governor of overstepping his bounds by withholding assent without sufficient justification.
- Leaders from parties including VCK, CPI-M, DMK, and the AIADMK (OPS camp) collectively protested, emphasizing the need to uphold legislative autonomy.
The re-passage of this Bill highlights ongoing tensions between the state government and the gubernatorial office, reflecting broader political dynamics in Tamil Nadu.
Additional Legislative Measures and Session Adjournment
Other Bills passed during the session include:
- The Tamil Nadu Appointment on Preferential Basis in the Services under the State of Persons Studied in Tamil Medium (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2026, aimed at promoting Tamil medium education in public employment.
- The Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Amendment) Bill, 2026, focusing on local governance reforms.
Following the passage of these nine Bills, the Assembly was adjourned sine die, concluding a productive legislative meeting that addressed diverse socio-economic and administrative challenges facing the state.
