CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu legislators are set to receive a significant increase in logistical support after Chief Minister Joseph Vijay announced a package that includes government vehicles and financial assistance worth ₹1 lakh per month for each MLA.
The package will cover all 234 members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The government says the initiative is aimed at helping legislators travel regularly within their constituencies and attend to public grievances more efficiently.
Under the new arrangement, each MLA will receive ₹75,000 per month towards expenses associated with the government-provided vehicle, including fuel, driver and maintenance costs. In addition, the government will provide ₹25,000 per month to enable legislators to hire a secretary for official and constituency-related work.
Taken together, the two allowances amount to ₹1 lakh in monthly support for each MLA, apart from the government vehicle.
Announcing the decision in the Assembly, Chief Minister Vijay said legislators are required to travel frequently across their constituencies to understand people’s problems and undertake public-service activities. He argued that providing official vehicles would help representatives discharge these responsibilities more effectively.
The government also pointed out that several members of the current Assembly are first-time legislators and come from modest financial backgrounds. According to the Chief Minister, logistical assistance would help them perform their duties without facing difficulties in travelling across their constituencies.
The announcement followed a request from VCK MLA Jothimani, who had highlighted the difficulties faced by legislators due to inadequate logistical facilities and sought government vehicles for MLAs.
The decision received a positive response from several members of the ruling alliance. TVK MLA Sindhu expressed her appreciation in the Assembly by singing the popular MGR song Kodutthathellam Kodutthan, while other legislators responded with applause.
Congress MLA Tharagai Cuthbert also welcomed the announcement, saying the decision would make it easier for MLAs to carry out their responsibilities. She indicated that the move could receive support even among opposition legislators.
School Education Minister Raj Mohan defended the government’s decision, saying the initiative could have benefits beyond supporting elected representatives. He said the provision would also create employment opportunities for drivers and secretaries.
However, the announcement has faced criticism from the opposition DMK. The party questioned the financial burden the scheme could place on the state exchequer, particularly with government vehicles being provided to all 234 MLAs along with the additional monthly allowances.
The government’s new package has consequently triggered a debate over the balance between providing elected representatives with adequate resources to serve their constituencies and ensuring prudent use of public funds.
