**Executive Summary**
This document from the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette, dated December 21, 2016, includes statutory notifications from Heads of Departments. It contains a draft amendment to the Tamil Nadu Mediation Rules, 2010, for which suggestions or objections are due within 30 days of the publication date. Also contained are amendments to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Miscellaneous Service Regulations, 2010, which retroactively took effect on September 29, 2010.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Tamil Nadu Mediation Rules, 2010 Draft Amendment:**
* Sub-rule (1)(b) of Rule 5 is proposed to be amended to allow legal practitioners with at least 10 years of standing at the Bar at the level of the Supreme Court, High Court, or District Court to serve as mediators.
* Suggestions or objections to the draft amendment must be submitted within 30 days of the initial publication of this amendment.
* **Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Miscellaneous Service Regulations, 2010 Amendments:**
* These amendments took effect retroactively on September 29, 2010.
* In regulation 2, the following changes are made to post categories:
* Category 5 is changed from the previous role to "Programmer".
* Category 6 is changed to "Assistant Programmer".
* In regulation 3, under "THE TABLE":
* The expression "Senior Programmer" is replaced with "Programmer" in the entries against SI.No.4.
* The qualifications and experience requirements for the roles Programmer, Assistant Programmer, and Data Entry Operator are updated.
* In regulation 4, under "THE TABLE," the appointing authority for the following categories are amended:
* The appointing authority for the role of "Programmer" is changed to "Chairman".
* The appointing authority for the role of "Assistant Programmer" is changed to "Member Secretary".
* These amendments are designed not to adversely affect individuals currently holding these posts.
**Impact Analysis**
**Judicial Community and Legal Practitioners**
* **Impact:** Expands the pool of eligible mediators to include legal practitioners with 10 years of experience at various court levels.
* **Action Required:** Those wishing to comment on the changes to the Tamil Nadu Mediation Rules must submit suggestions or objections within 30 days of publication.
**Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) Employees**
* **Impact:** Changes in post categories, qualifications, experience requirements, and appointing authorities for certain positions. The amendments do not adversely affect individuals currently holding said posts.
* **Action Required:** Review updated regulations to understand changes to job roles, requirements, and reporting structures.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board: Regulator responsible for pollution control in Tamil Nadu, and the subject of service regulation amendments described in the notification.
Tamil Nadu Mediation Rules, 2010: The rules subject to amendment concerning legal practitioner qualifications.
Chennai: Location of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the High Court, relevant to the application and publication of the notifications.
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: Central Act under which the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board exercises its powers.
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board Revised Service Regulations, 2010: Regulations governing service conditions, subject to amendments by the Pollution Control Board.