Tamil Nadu MLAs will receive a 71% increase in their monthly emoluments from October 1, taking the total package from Rs 1.05 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh and adding an estimated Rs 17 crore a year to the state exchequer, according to a gazette notification reported by the Times of India.
The revised structure triples the monthly vehicle allowance from Rs 25,000 to Rs 75,000 and introduces a personal assistance allowance of Rs 25,000. Officials said the allowances will be paid directly to MLAs, allowing them to appoint a personal assistant of their choice and meet vehicle-related expenses, including fuel.
The changes follow Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s announcement during the recently concluded assembly session and amendments to the Tamil Nadu Payment of Salaries Act, 1951. Vijay had announced on August 19 that the government would provide a vehicle to every MLA to help them travel across their constituencies and meet residents.
In the first week of September, the government introduced a bill to amend the legislation and raise the vehicle allowance while creating the new personal assistance allowance. The revised amount will be reflected in the MLAs’ salaries from the month after the changes take effect.
The proposal originated with a request from VCK MLA E L Jothimani, the Kattumannarkoil legislator. She told the assembly that first-time legislators were struggling to travel across their constituencies, meet people and carry out their responsibilities. Her appeal sought vehicles for MLAs to support constituency-level work.
The government has also issued a gazette notification setting purchase ceilings for official cars. The ceiling is Rs 26 lakh for ministers, the speaker, deputy speaker, leader of the opposition and chief government whip. For other MLAs, the ceiling has been fixed at Rs 15 lakh.
The revised arrangement separates the cost of constituency travel from the existing monthly package and formally recognises administrative assistance as an eligible expense. Its implementation will therefore affect not only lawmakers’ remuneration but also how constituency offices manage travel, fuel and secretarial work.
The vehicle component has already drawn a different response from some legislators. The DMK’s 59 MLAs have decided to forgo the vehicles, citing the state’s financial constraints. The leader of the opposition has also submitted a written letter stating that he and his party’s legislators do not wish to avail themselves of the cars.
The additional annual cost to the state exchequer is estimated at Rs 17 crore. The gazette-backed changes will take effect from October 1, with the revised allowances scheduled to appear in the forthcoming monthly salary payments.
