GREATER CHENNAI CORPORATION

GREATER CHENNAI CORPORATION

The Greater Chennai Corporation (previously Madras) (GCC)is the Oldest Municipal Institution in India established on the September 29, 1688. A charter was issued on the December 30, 1607 by East India Company constituting the ‘Town of Fort St. George’ and all the territories thereunto belonging, not exceeding the distance of ten miles from the Fort, into a Corporation. The Parliamentary Act of 1792 gave the Corporation power to levy Municipal Taxes in the City. The Municipal administration properly commenced from the Parliamentary Act, 1792 making provision for the good order and administration of the city. The Municipal Act has been amended introducing from time to time major changes in the constitution and powers of the Corporation. The Madras Municipal Corporation Act, 1919 (as amended) provides the basic Statutory authority for the administration now. On September 29, 1688, the corporation was inaugurated with power to decide petty cases, levy rates upon the inhabitants for building of schools, a town hall and a jail. Nathaniel Higginson was nominated as First mayor with twelve aldermen and sixty burgesses. The emblem of GCC has a panel wherein a tiger – symbol of pride; pair of fish – the river in Chennai; bow and arrow - symbolsing power and rule; and ship on water with sails – showing its coast and trading port are depicted. The building in which GCC is housed – the Rippon Building, is shown atop the panel. All these elements are legacy of colonial era, which have been retained to this day. At the bottom is a yellow colour banner where the name of the Corporation is written in Tamil in black colour.