Tamil Nadu to create 78-seat Legislative Council, 26 elected by electorates

It aims to provide better opportunities for people's participation in governance and decision-making.

Who it concerns: The State of Tamil Nadu, its Legislative Assembly, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, the President of India, the Election Commission of India, and the Government of Tamil Nadu (which bears the expenditure).

What the bill does

• Creates a Legislative Council for Tamil Nadu with a total of 78 seats.
• Seat distribution: 26 elected by electorates (Article 171(3)(a)), 7 by electorates (Article 171(3)(b)), 7 by electorates (Article 171(3)(c)), 26 elected by members of the Legislative Assembly, and 12 nominated by the Governor.
• The President will appoint a date for commencement and determine constituencies and seat allotments after consulting the Election Commission.
• Amends the Third and Fourth Schedules of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 to include Tamil Nadu and specify the composition of the electoral college (Municipalities, Panchayat Union Councils, Cantonment Boards, and District Panchayats).
• Amends Section 15A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to include the constitution of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council.

Also in the document

• The Tamil Nadu Legislative Council was previously abolished effective November 1, 1986.
• The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on April 12, 2010, to create the Council, following a previous resolution in 1996 that was rescinded in 2001.
• The expenditure for the Legislative Council will be borne by the Government of Tamil Nadu.