Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay has announced a major support package for all 234 MLAs in the state, including government vehicles and a monthly allowance of ₹75,000 to cover driver, fuel and maintenance expenses.
Announcing the decision in the Assembly, Vijay said legislators frequently need to travel across their constituencies to meet residents, address grievances and monitor government projects. Providing official vehicles, he said, would help MLAs carry out these responsibilities more effectively.
The government also pointed out that several members of the current Assembly are first time legislators who come from modest financial backgrounds. Access to official vehicles, it said, would ensure that financial limitations do not affect their ability to serve constituents.
The announcement followed a request from VCK MLA Jothimani, who had highlighted the logistical difficulties faced by legislators and sought government vehicles to help them perform their duties.
Under the new arrangement, MLAs will receive ₹75,000 every month towards expenses related to their government vehicle, including fuel, maintenance and the driver’s salary. They will also receive a state grant of ₹25,000 to hire a secretary for official work.
The move received a warm response from several ruling party legislators. TVK MLA Sabari Iyngaran welcomed the announcement, recalling her own financial difficulties before entering politics and saying the provision would make constituency work easier.
Another TVK MLA, Sindhu, expressed her appreciation by singing a popular MGR song in the Assembly, prompting laughter and applause from fellow legislators.
Congress MLA Tharagai Cuthbert, whose party is an ally of the TVK, also welcomed the decision and said legislators across political parties would benefit from the additional logistical support.
School Education Minister Raj Mohan defended the announcement, arguing that it would not only assist MLAs but also generate employment opportunities for drivers and secretaries.
The opposition DMK, however, criticised the move as an unnecessary financial burden on the state. Party spokesperson A Saravanan questioned the cost of providing vehicles and additional allowances to all 234 legislators and asked whether such expenditure was justified.
