Why CM Vijay decided to allot cars, assistants to all Tamil Nadu MLAs
Tamil Nadu Assembly Gets New Logistics Package for Every Legislator
Indiadailyupdate.com – Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has directed that each member of the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly receive a government-issued vehicle, a monthly operational allowance, and a dedicated secretary. The package was unveiled through a formal statement read under Rule 110 of the assembly.
What Triggered the Announcement
The decision followed a pointed intervention by VCK legislator Jothimani, who told the house that he was unable to discharge his duties effectively without logistical backing. He pointed out that some colleagues could not even afford basic footwear and formally requested that the state provide transport and support infrastructure for all members.
Vijay, leading the TVK government, responded by framing the allocation as a necessity for first-time legislators. He noted that a significant share of the current assembly comprises newly elected representatives, many of whom come from modest financial backgrounds and lack personal resources to fund constituency work.
"The MLAs need to travel to their constituencies frequently to address the people's problems and issues. Government vehicles will ensure transparent and corruption-free governance."
Components of the New Package
Under the scheme, every MLA will receive:
A state-allocated car for official travel within and beyond their constituency. A monthly allowance of Rs. 75,000 covering driver costs, fuel, and vehicle maintenance. A state grant of Rs. 25,000 per month earmarked for hiring a secretary to handle official correspondence and scheduling.
Financial Impact on the Exchequer
The initiative will add Rs. 2.34 crore to the state's monthly outgoings, before any GST component. This sits on top of the existing monthly salary of Rs. 1,05,000 already paid to each legislator — a figure that was raised from Rs. 55,000 in 2017 during the tenure of Edappadi K. Palaniswami as chief minister.
The current salary structure breaks down as follows: basic pay of Rs. 30,000, constituency allowance of Rs. 25,000, vehicle allowance of Rs. 25,000, compensatory allowance of Rs. 10,000, telephone allowance of Rs. 7,500, consolidated allowance of Rs. 5,000, and postal allowance of Rs. 2,500. Separately, legislators draw an annual constituency fund of Rs. 3.54 crore, which already incorporates a Rs. 54 lakh GST component.
Political Reactions
TVK members and their Congress allies voiced approval of the measure, viewing it as a practical step to level the playing field for legislators without personal wealth. The opposition DMK, however, criticised the announcement sharply, arguing that it would inflate recurring expenditure and place an avoidable strain on state finances.
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