A HISTORICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE STUDY OF TOWN PANCHAYATS IN CUDDALORE DISTRICT: EVOLUTION, CLASSIFICATION AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE DYNAMICS

Abstract

The article presents a wide-ranging study of the historical trajectory and administrative evolution of Town Panchayats in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, with a specific focus on their establishment, subsequent upgrades, and contemporary governance mechanisms. It traces the institutional development of these urban local bodies from their inception under the Madras Panchayat Act of 1950 through successive legislative reforms, culminating in their integration within the administrative purview of the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply.  Town Panchayats in Tamil Nadu serve as intermediate urban bodies bridging rural and municipal governance, delivering key civic services such as roads, water supply, sanitation, and waste management. This article analyzes the demographic and administrative profile of Cuddalore’s Town Panchayats, classifying them by revenue, population, and infrastructure. It highlights their historical elevation to municipal status and proposes reclassifying eligible Village Panchayats to strengthen urban governance in the district.