TN MLAs to Get Official Vehicles and Rs 1 Lakh Monthly Allowance

CHENNAI — Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly will receive government vehicles and a monthly allowance of Rs 1 lakh to support their constituency work, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced on the floor of the Assembly on Wednesday.

Under the new measure, the state government will provide cars to all MLAs along with Rs 75,000 per month for driver salaries and vehicle-related expenses. An additional Rs 25,000 per month will be allocated to employ an assistant in each MLA's office.

Justifying the decision, Vijay stated that MLAs need to travel regularly within their constituencies to monitor government projects and address public grievances. He noted that the vehicles would specifically aid first-time legislators and members without strong financial backing in carrying out their official duties.

The announcement followed a demand raised in the House on August 12 by VCK MLA L E Jothimani from Kattumanarkoil. Jothimani had pointed out that while local-body heads—including municipal chairpersons, union chairpersons, mayors, and deputy mayors—had access to official vehicles, MLAs lacked similar logistical support.

Several legislators welcomed the government's decision during the session. TVK MLA Sabari Iyngaran recounted her experience of having to travel by train and auto-rickshaw to the Assembly, noting that police previously doubted her identity until she presented her MLA card. Another TVK MLA, Sindhu, sang a verse from an MGR song to express gratitude, while Congress MLA Tharagai Cuthbert said the move brought widespread relief to legislators across party lines.

School Education Minister Raj Mohan stated that the policy would create local employment opportunities for drivers and administrative staff. However, the DMK criticized the measure, characterizing the vehicle and allowance allocation as an unwanted expense.