CM Vijay's big splurge for Tamil Nadu MLAs, each to get new car, Rs 75K driver allowance

Chief Minister Vijay said all Tamil Nadu MLAs will be given new cars for constituency travel. The move followed VCK MLA Jothimani's call for logistics support to help legislators work effectively.

In Short

• Cars to aid Tamil Nadu MLAs' travel to their constituencies
• VCK MLA Jothimani highlighted need for logistical support
• Rs 25,000 monthly will be provided for assistant in each MLA's office

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced that all MLAs in the state will get new cars to help them travel to their constituencies and address the needs of the people.

Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Vijay said MLAs need to regularly travel to their constituencies to take care of people's needs. The government will provide cars to all MLAs to support their constituency travel.

Under the support announced for MLAs, they will also get Rs 75,000 per month for the driver's salary and car-related expenses.

The government will additionally provide Rs 25,000 per month to hire an assistant in each MLA's office.

The announcement came after VCK MLA Jothimani said MLAs cannot work effectively without the required logistics support and requested cars for them.

A senior DMK MLA said successive governments had ignored similar requests from legislators, citing financial constraints, as reported by Times of India.

The MLA pointed out that local-body heads already receive official vehicles. “The government provides vehicles to municipal and union chairpersons, mayors and deputy mayors, but MLAs do not enjoy the same facility,” the MLA said.

According to the MLA, the lack of official vehicles limits legislators' mobility, including during important occasions.

Legislators were visibly pleased when Vijay spoke to senior colleague N Anand immediately after Jothimani raised the demand in the House.

RS 351 CRORE FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION

Additionally, the government announced Rs 351 crore to increase student admission capacity in government medical colleges.

A total of 6,098 additional seats will be created to develop healthcare professionals. These include 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.

The government will also establish seven new government nursing colleges.

400-BED HOSPITAL IN PERAMBALUR

A 400-bed world-class multi-speciality hospital will be established in Perambalur at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore.

The facility will provide advanced medical treatment and healthcare services.

HEALTH INSURANCE COVER TO BE INCREASED

The government has also proposed increasing the annual limit for medical treatment under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.

Additional medical and surgical services for transgender persons will also be provided under the scheme at Chennai Stanley, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Chengalpattu, Thiruvarur, Karur and Kanyakumari.

- Ends