Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, announced that all MLAs in the State would be provided with a car and an assistant to help them carry out constituency-related work and ensure government schemes reach beneficiaries, as reported in The Hindu.
Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, Vijay said ₹75,000 would be provided every month towards car maintenance, fuel and the driver’s expenses. An additional ₹25,000 monthly allowance would be provided for an assistant.
“Necessary amendments will be made to the law and orders will be issued,” Vijay said.
The announcement came after Kattumannarkoil MLA L.E. Jothimani raised the issue in the Assembly on 12 August 2026. Jothimani, who represents the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), said several MLAs did not have cars and were therefore unable to undertake constituency visits and inspections effectively.
He had also urged the government to address the basic requirements of MLAs, arguing that adequate support would enable them to carry out their responsibilities and ensure corruption-free governance.
Vijay said Jothimani had pointed out that MLAs without an economic or financial background could find it difficult to afford an assistant. He added that similar representations had also been received by the government.
“MLAs are one of the important pillars of democracy,” Vijay said, pointing to the increase in the number of first-time MLAs without established political or financial backgrounds who had been elected with the support of the people.
The Chief Minister also referred to the pledge taken by TVK candidates when they were introduced on 29 March 2026. According to Vijay, the candidates had pledged to work with transparency and honesty and provide corruption-free administration, and the elected MLAs were continuing to follow that commitment.
Vijay said MLAs were required to travel extensively across their constituencies, including villages and remote areas, to meet residents, inspect development works and address grievances. They should not have to depend on others for transportation or administrative assistance, he said.
The Chief Minister maintained that the proposed support would enable MLAs to carry out constituency work more efficiently and ensure that government welfare schemes reached people without any laxity.
Under the proposed arrangement, each MLA would therefore receive ₹1 lakh per month in combined support for the vehicle and assistant, apart from being provided with a car. The government said the necessary legal amendments and formal orders would be issued to implement the decision.
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