Joseph Vijay has announced government cars for all 233 sitting MLAs, along with a monthly allowance of Rs 75,000 for drivers, fuel and maintenance. The move comes even as the state faces a debt burden of Rs 13.18 lakh crore and rising interest payments. New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C.
He said the vehicles would help legislators travel across their constituencies, meet residents, monitor development projects and coordinate with government officials. He also said the initiative would support transparency and corruption-free governance. The government said several members of the assembly are first-time legislators and some come from modest financial backgrounds. Vijay said they may not have the resources or logistical support needed for extensive travel as elected representatives.
The announcement followed a request from VCK MLA Jothimani, whose party is part of the Vijay government and has two legislators in the assembly.
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. That puts the Tamil Nadu fourth among states nationally. The proportion is even higher in other major parties.
