A key association representing ministerial staff in Tamil Nadu’s municipal corporations has reached out to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to request special permission to implement a government order on promotions delayed by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ahead of the Assembly elections. The Tamil Nadu Municipal Corporation Ministerial Staff Association has highlighted the need for the state government to proceed with the promotion process due to prolonged delays and employee dissatisfaction.
The association stated that hundreds of staff members have been awaiting promotions for years, facing obstacles due to the enforcement of the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Rules, 2023. These rules introduced revised eligibility criteria, including additional qualifications, service requirements, and mandatory departmental tests.
R. Subramanian, founder-president of the association, mentioned that despite amendments made in March 2025 to address concerns, practical challenges persist. The syllabus for the newly mandated departmental examinations was approved only in April 2025, leaving employees with limited time to prepare and qualify.
Citing difficulties in meeting the current requirements within a short timeframe, the association has proposed a one-time exemption based on rules allowing for relaxation in cases of implementation challenges. It has suggested processing promotions under the earlier Tamil Nadu Municipal Corporation Service Rules of 1996 to ensure fairness to existing employees.
The announcement of the MCC on March 15, in light of the upcoming Assembly elections on April 23, has halted all administrative decisions, including promotions that require clearance from the ECI during the election period. The association has urged for urgent intervention to address the delays affecting employee morale and administrative efficiency, proposing that consequential transfers from promotions be deferred until after the electoral process concludes.
With the elections drawing near, the decision now rests with the ECI on whether to grant an exemption for what the association describes as a long-pending and justified administrative matter.
