A Bill to further amend the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971, was introduced in the Assembly on Tuesday (September 1, 2026), seeking to dispense with the requirement of obtaining prior concurrence of the District Collector for the development of wetlands in non-planning areas and to empower the Director to grant prior permission to the local authority in respect of such wetlands.

The Bill was opposed by the AIADMK, CPI and CPI(M). The DMK and PMK sought a debate for further clarification.

Introducing the Bill, Minister for Housing and Urban Development B. Rajkumar said the requirement for prior concurrence of the District Collector had led to avoidable delays in the processing and disposal of applications for planning permission.

Sub-section (2) of Section 47-A of the Tamil Nadu Act 35 of 1972 mandates that a local authority obtain the prior concurrence of the Director before granting permission for the development of land in areas other than planning areas. In the case of wetlands, prior concurrence of the District Collector is also required.

The Bill also seeks to appoint a full-time Chairman and a full-time Member-Secretary to the Urban Development Authority to ensure greater focus, continuity and accountability in the discharge of their duties and functions, while retaining the District Collector as a member of the Authority to ensure effective coordination with the district administration.

The Bill said the creation of the posts was necessary as spatial planning, infrastructure development, land development, implementation of development schemes and regulation of urban growth required sustained and dedicated attention, as well as timely decision-making.