Chennai
A key association representing ministerial staff in Tamil Nadu’s municipal corporations has approached the Election Commission of India, seeking special permission to implement a long-pending government order on promotions.
The request comes after the process was halted due to the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
In a detailed representation submitted to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, State Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik, and Chief Secretary N Muruganandham, the Tamil Nadu Municipal Corporation Ministerial Staff Association highlighted the prolonged delay in promotions and its impact on employees. The association stated that hundreds of staff members have been awaiting career advancement for several years, leading to growing frustration within the workforce.
The delay, according to the association, is linked to the implementation of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023. These revised rules introduced new eligibility criteria, including additional educational qualifications, extended service requirements, and mandatory departmental examinations. While amendments were introduced in March 2025 to address some of these concerns, several practical challenges continue to persist.
One major issue raised by the association is the late approval of the syllabus for the departmental examinations, which was finalised only in April 2025. This left employees with very limited time to prepare and qualify, making it difficult for many eligible candidates to meet the new requirements within the stipulated timeframe.
R. Subramanian, founder-president of the association, pointed out that the current system is impractical for a large number of employees and risks denying them fair opportunities for promotion. Invoking provisions within the rules that allow relaxation in cases of implementation challenges, the association has proposed a one-time exemption. It has requested that promotions be carried out under the earlier Tamil Nadu Municipal Corporation Service Rules of 1996, which were in effect until March 2023.
However, the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct on March 15, in view of the April 23 Assembly elections, has effectively stalled all such administrative decisions. As promotions during the election period require prior approval from the Election Commission, the association has urged the poll body to grant clearance and resolve the long-standing issue.
