**Executive Summary**
The Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, published on April 12, 2017, contains notifications and orders from Secretariat Departments. Key amendments are made to the Tamil Nadu Kerosene (Regulation of Trade) Order, 1973. Additionally, modifications are made to notifications under the Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendments to Tamil Nadu Kerosene (Regulation of Trade) Order:**
* Definition of "Commissioner" is updated to mean the Commissioner of Civil Supplies, Chennai.
* References to "Joint Commissioner of Civil Supplies" are updated to include "Joint Commissioner of Civil Supplies, Additional Commissioner of Civil Supplies" in various clauses.
* Marginal heading of clause 23 is amended to "Forfeiture of Security Deposit or Imposition of Fine or Suspension or Cancellation of Licence."
* Sub-clause (1) of clause 23 is updated with detailed procedures for forfeiture of security deposits, imposition of fines, or suspension/cancellation of licenses for dealers contravening license conditions or statutory orders.
* A table outlines specific penalties (fine amounts, security deposit forfeiture, and/or license suspension/cancellation) for various irregularities, including non-observance of government regulations, overcharging, and short delivery of products.
* Licensees must remit fines or forfeited security deposits within 7 days unless the orders are stayed by an appellate authority. Failure to remit results in automatic adjustment from the security deposit and invalidation of the license.
* Deadlines for appeal petitions have been introduced.
* **Modifications to Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act:**
* The entry "31 Bairasandiram" is removed from column (3) of the Schedule against "Salem" in Column (1) and against "Hosur" in column (2).
* The entries "6 Elasandiram" and "27 Marasandiram" are removed from column (3) of the Schedule against "Salem" in column (1) and against the entry "Hosur" in column (2).
**Impact Analysis**
* **Kerosene Dealers/Licensees:**
* **Impact:** Affected by new regulations concerning penalties for irregularities in the kerosene trade, including potential fines, security deposit forfeitures, and license suspensions or cancellations.
* **Action Required:** Must comply with updated regulations, remit fines/forfeitures within specified timeframes, and adhere to penalties outlined for specific offenses to maintain valid licenses.
* **Licensing Authorities (District Revenue Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Civil Supplies, Joint Commissioner of Civil Supplies, Additional Commissioner of Civil Supplies or Commissioner of Civil Supplies):**
* **Impact:** Have updated procedures and powers regarding the imposition of penalties on kerosene dealers and are required to ensure dealers are informed of these processes.
* **Action Required:** Implement updated procedures for enforcing regulations, assess penalties based on updated guidelines, and maintain accurate records of enforcement actions.
* **Landowners/Affected Parties in Salem and Hosur regions:**
* **Impact:** Affected by changes to land records in Salem and Hosur regions.
* **Action Required:** Review records to check that they match the updated notification.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu Kerosene (Regulation of Trade) Order, 1973: The primary subject of the notification is amendments to this order, concerning kerosene trade regulation in Tamil Nadu.
Essential Commodities Act, 1955: Central Act providing powers under which the Tamil Nadu order is issued; Section 3 is specifically mentioned as conferring the relevant powers.
Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department: The Tamil Nadu government department responsible for issuing the amendments to the Kerosene (Regulation of Trade) Order.
Tamil Nadu Inam Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1963: Tamil Nadu Act, which is responsible for modification to Notification under the Act.
Chennai: Location specifically applicable in the context of Commissioner of Civil Supplies.