Local Administration in Puducherry, Municipalities of Puducherry

First off, Puducherry, popularly called as India's Little France is not an Indian state but a Union Territory of India. Puducherry being a Union Territory settles directly under the federal authority of the Indian political system. Nevertheless, just like Delhi, Puducherry is also qualified for a special sanction which is operating under the law determining the fundamental political principles of the government of India. Thus, Puducherry has its own people powered legislative assembly and a cabinet of ministers, thereby bearing partial statehood.

Puducherry Local Administration Department

The administrative power of Central Government is represented and implemented by the Lieutenant Governor who domiciles at the famous Raj Nivas, also known as Le Palais du Gouverneur (former castle of the French governor) at the Park. The government at the centre is extensively involved with Puducherry's economic system and financial welfare. Accordingly, Puducherry is fortunate to have received lower taxations, especially in the indirect class at various times.

Special Administration Status of Puducherry

The official name Puducherry literally means ‘New town’ or ‘New seaside habitation’ in the local language of Tamil. During the year 2006, the historic name of Pondicherry was changed as Puducherry. As per the 1956 Treaty between the Republic of France and India building cession by the France to the Indian Union of the French administrations in India, the four dominions of erstwhile French India territorial governance is allowed to constitute constabularies with reference to specific affairs. In a lot of instances, such lawmaking may demand confirmation from the federal government (government in the centre) or the acquiescence of the President of India.

Article II of the 1956 Treaty between the Republic of France and India, says

"The Establishments will keep the benefit of the special administrative status which was in force prior to 1 November 1954. Any constitutional changes in this status which may be made subsequently shall be made after ascertaining the wishes of the people."

Lt Governor of Puducherry

Dr. Kiran Bedi, IPS, (Retd)
Dr. Kiran Bedi, IPS, (Retd)
Office : +91-413-2334051
Residence : +91-413-2334050
Fax : +91-413-2334025
Email: [email protected]

For details on Lt Governor, click here

Local Administration in Puducherry

The local administration of the union territory of Puducherry is extensively addressed by the Local Administration Department headed by a minister assisted by a director and a secretary to the government. The Puducherry municipality comprises of five exclusive administrative municipalities for the purpose of more effective administration. The union territory underwent French organization of municipal governance from the year 1880 to 1968, when it was reclaimed.

Originally, municipal governance was just about the centre point of the entire administration system in the union territory. It featured a lot of rooms, which can be advantageous for organized governance. Puducherry comprised of four municipalities in the past times, that is to say, Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. As a matter of fact, the municipal elections played a crucial role in determining the ceding of the French colonies to India. During the year 1954, the French occupied regions of India were integrated with the Fedral Union of India.

The 1st of July 1963 marks a landmark day in the history of Puducherry as the local administration department was officially constituted. The newly formed local administration department of Puducherry was assigned to administer all affairs affiliated with local governance at the secretariate degree. Accordingly, the inspectorate of Municipal councils and Local Boards were constituted in 1967, to practice command over the municipalities.

Furthermore, a good deal of the abilities bestowed on the municipalities by the assorted French constabularies stopped to have any positive consequence as these polices had been substituted by Indian jurisprudences. As an outcome, the municipal governance as conceptualized in the 19th century got completely wore away for the good! Therefore, the arrangement was substituted by the 1973 Pondicherry Municipalities Act and Pondicherry Village and Commune Panchayat Act to regularize local governance where both the acts came into effect from 26 January 1974.

Present Scenario of Administration in Puducherry

Municipalities of Puducherry

Pondicherry Municipality
Ozhukarai Municipality
Karaikal Municipality
Yanam Municipality
Mahe Municipality

Commune Panchayats of Puducherry Region

Ariankuppam
Bahour
Mannadipattu
Nettapakkam
Villianur

Ministers in Puducherry Government

Shri. V. Narayanswamy
Address :No. 5, Ellaiamman Koil Street,
Puducherry-605 001
Residence: +91-413-2339099
Mobile: +91-94432-33909
Email :[email protected]

Portfolio:

Planning and Finance
General Administration
Home
Hindu Religious Institutions
Law
All other subjects not allocated to any other Minister

Shri. A. Namassivayam
Address : New No.1, Old No.4, Mandhaikarai St., V.Manaveli,
Arumparthapuram Post,
Puducherry - 605 010.
Residence : +91-413-2666524
Mobile : +91-94432-65665

Portfolio:

Public Works including Public Health Division
Local Administration
Excise
Town & Country Planning
Animal Husbandry
Economics & Statistics
Stationery & Printing

Shri. Malladi Krishna Rao
Address : No.09-07-020, Gajulavari Lane,
Agraharam, Yanam.
Residence : +91-884-321999 (Yanam)
Mobile : +91-94426-46666

Portfolio

Health & Family Welfare
Tourism & Civil Aviation
Fisheries
Housing
Sports & Youth Affairs
Art & Culture
Irrigation and Flood Control

Shri. M. Kandasamy
Address: No. 1, Panni Thittu Main Road,
Moopanar Thottam,
Vambapet, Bahour Commune,
Puducherry-607 402.
Residence: +91-413-2355575

Portfolio:
Social Welfare
Women and Child Development
Adi-Dravidar Welfare
Backwad Classes Welfare
Co-operation
Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs
Labour and Employment
Pollution Control
Science, Technology and Environment
Port

Shri. M.O.H.F. Shahjahan
Address : No. 64, Suffren Street,
Puducherry-605 001
Mobile : +91-99524-07120

Portfolio:

Revenue
Industries & Commerce
Transport
Information Technology
Forest
Wakf Board
Minority Affairs

Shri. R. Kamalkannan
Address : No. 100, North Vellalar Street,
Ambagarathur, Thirunallar Commune,
Karaikal-609 601
Residence : +91-4368-251888(KKL)

Portfolio :

Electricity
Education including Collegiate Education
Agriculture
DRDA
Community Development
Fire Services
Sainik Welfare

All the five municipalities and the five commune panchayats located in the Union Territory of Puducherry are operating under the administrative hold of the local administration department.