New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced that all 233 sitting MLAs will be provided with government cars. Each MLA will also receive a monthly allowance of Rs 75,000 to cover expenses for drivers, fuel, and maintenance. This decision comes at a time when the state is grappling with a significant debt burden of Rs 13.18 lakh crore, alongside increasing interest payments.
That puts the Tamil Nadu fourth among states nationally. The proportion is even higher in other major parties. They have an average declared wealth of Rs 48.35 crore. The DMK has 57 millionaires among its 59 MLAs, or 97%. The AIADMK has 44 out of 47, or 94%, while all five Congress MLAs are millionaires. Jothimani, whose request led to the government announcement, has declared assets worth Rs 85.47 lakh. His affidavit also lists a Toyota Etios worth Rs 9 lakh, purchased in 2012.
Tamil Nadu’s legislators are also among the wealthiest in the country, according to an Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report based on their election affidavits.
Vijay Government Introduces Vehicles for Legislators to Enhance Constituency Engagement
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced a new initiative to provide vehicles for legislators, aimed at facilitating their travel within constituencies. This initiative will enable lawmakers to meet constituents, oversee development projects, and coordinate with government officials more effectively.
Vijay highlighted that many members of the assembly are first-time legislators and some come from modest financial backgrounds. This support is particularly crucial as they may lack the resources for extensive travel as elected representatives. The announcement came in response to a request from VCK MLA Jothimani, whose party is part of the ruling Vijay government and holds two seats in the assembly.
The government asserts that this initiative will promote transparency and help ensure corruption-free governance, further supporting the legislators in their duties to the public.
