CHENNAI: MLAs in Tamil Nadu MLAs will get a 71% increase in their monthly emoluments from Oct 1, with the revised allowance structure raising their monthly package from Rs 1.05 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh. The revision will cost the state exchequer an additional Rs 17 crore a year.A gazette notification has been issued following chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s announcement during the recently concluded assembly session. The amendment triples the monthly vehicle allowance from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 and introduces a monthly personal assistance allowance of Rs 25,000 to enable MLAs to hire secretarial staff. The gazette notification was published earlier in the month.Vijay announced on Aug 19 that the govt would provide a vehicle to every MLA to help them travel in their constituencies and serve the people. In the first week of Sept, he introduced a bill to amend the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Act, 1951, to increase the monthly vehicle allowance from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 and provide a personal assistance allowance of Rs 25,000. The changes raise the monthly package by 71%, from Rs 1.05 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh.The announcement and the subsequent amendment followed a request from VCK MLA E L Jothimani. The Kattumannarkoil MLA told the assembly that first-time legislators were struggling to travel across their constituencies, meet people and discharge their duties. She appealed to the chief minister to provide vehicles to MLAs.Officials said the allowances would be paid directly to MLAs, enabling them to appoint a personal assistant of their choice and meet vehicle-related expenses, including fuel. The revised allowances will take effect from Oct 1, and it will reflect from coming month salary of the MLAs.The govt has also issued a gazette notification fixing the purchase ceiling for official cars at Rs 26 lakh for ministers, the speaker, deputy speaker, leader of the opposition and chief govt whip, and Rs 15 lakh for other MLAs. However, the DMK’s 59 MLAs have decided to forgo the vehicles, citing the state’s financial constraints. Leader of the Opposition submitted a written letter, expressing their disinterest to avail car for him and his party legislators.“I aired the concerns of first-time MLAs like me, who come from humble families and have no financial backing. Most of the first time MLAs will agree with me. The CM took responded positively and made announcements that cars and travel allowances would be provided to MLAs to help them discharge their duties effectively. I am happy to learn that the govt has now issued a notification to this effect,” said Jothimani.“Though I own a car, which I bought 15 years ago with a loan, it is not suitable for travelling across the constituency. The govt’s move will help MLAs travel independently and function with dignity. It will also ensure that they do not have to depend on others to travel across their constituencies and meet people,” she said.
