Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced a series of substantial benefits for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) across the state. The initiatives aim to enhance their operational capacity and support their duties in serving constituents.
Key Benefits for Tamil Nadu MLAs
During a session in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, CM Vijay confirmed that all MLAs would receive new cars to facilitate travel within their constituencies and address public concerns effectively. This move is intended to ensure transparent and corruption-free governance, especially benefiting first-time MLAs from more modest backgrounds who might lack personal vehicles for official duties.
In addition to vehicles, MLAs will receive a monthly allowance of ₹75,000. This fund is earmarked to cover expenses related to drivers, fuel, and vehicle maintenance. A further grant of ₹25,000 will be provided monthly to hire an assistant for constituency-related administrative and support work.
Another significant announcement includes a substantial increase in annual health insurance coverage for elected representatives. The coverage has been raised from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh, providing enhanced financial security for medical needs.
Justification and Prior Requests
Chief Minister Vijay justified these measures by highlighting the frequent travel requirements for MLAs to engage with their constituents and fulfill their responsibilities. The announcements followed earlier requests from legislators, including VCK MLA Jothimani, who stressed the need for adequate logistical support for effective functioning. A senior DMK MLA also noted that similar requests in the past had often been disregarded due to financial constraints faced by successive governments.
The sentiment was echoed by an MLA who pointed out that while municipal and union chairpersons, as well as mayors and deputy mayors, are provided with government vehicles, MLAs had not historically enjoyed the same facility.
Broader Government Initiatives
Beyond the MLA benefits, CM Vijay also outlined several other key government initiatives:
- An allocation of ₹351 crore is set to expand student admission capacity in government medical colleges.
- A total of 6,098 new seats will be created to bolster the healthcare workforce. This includes 660 BSc Nursing seats, 1,925 additional seats in nursing colleges and schools, 2,778 seats across 12 paramedical courses, and 735 additional seats in medical courses.
- Seven new government nursing colleges are slated for establishment.
- A 400-bed, world-class multi-speciality hospital will be constructed in Perambalur at an estimated cost of ₹300 crore, offering advanced medical treatment.
- The procurement price for Aavin’s milk will increase from ₹38 to ₹41 per litre, a decision aimed at ensuring fair and remunerative prices for milk producers despite the state's financial challenges.
These announcements reflect a comprehensive approach by the Tamil Nadu government to address both legislative support and broader public welfare concerns.