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Time of India

Guv gives assent to 16 of 18 bills; two more pending

Chennai: Governor R N Ravi has given assent to 16 out of 18 bills passed by the legislature in the session that ended in April. The exceptions were the Kalaignar University Bill, to establish a university named after former chief minister M Karunanidhi in Kumbakonam, and the Physical Education and Sports University Bill, which empowers the state to appoint and remove the vice-chancellor. "In all, Raj Bhavan has only two bills pending from the last session, and another two bills, the Tamil Nadu Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Bill and the Tamil Nadu Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, pending since 2024. All cleared bills have been notified in the gazette," said an official. One of the approved bills allows use of the Goondas Act against those dumping bio-medical waste, particularly in districts bordering Kerala where such cases have been increasing. Another bill protects farmers, women, and women's self-help groups from aggressive loan recovery tactics used by microfinance institutions and other lenders. Violators face imprisonment ranging from three to five years, a fine of up to 5 lakh, or both. The Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Bill, 2025, replaces the Tamil Nadu Fire Service Act, 1985. Another law aims to decriminalise certain minor offences under the Urban Local Bodies Act. It introduces adjudication and compounding mechanisms to handle these offences. Another law regulates erection of hoardings, digital banners, and placards in rural local bodies. Some laws were changed to make the member-secretary of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority an ex-officio member of the CMDA; and to create the post of commissioner of urban development. Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act aim to improve ease of doing business. They also decriminalise offences by replacing imprisonment and fines with penalties. The legislation also establishes adjudication and appellate mechanisms. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .