Chennai, 11 September (H.S.):

The Opposition DMK has rejected the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to provide cars and allowances to legislators, questioning the move when the State is facing financial constraints.

The party submitted a letter to Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar communicating its decision not to accept the benefits announced by the TVK government. The letter was issued on the official letterhead of Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin and signed by all 59 DMK legislators on separate annexure pages.

Legislators belonging to the DMK’s alliance partners also recorded their names and signatures by hand, indicating their opposition to the proposal.

Under the government’s plan, each MLA would be provided with a car and nearly Rs 1 lakh towards vehicle maintenance and the appointment of a personal assistant. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced the package in the Assembly as part of measures intended to support legislators in carrying out their official responsibilities.

Immediately after the announcement, Udhayanidhi Stalin informed the House that all DMK MLAs had decided not to avail themselves of the offer. He questioned the government’s priorities, pointing out that the administration had repeatedly highlighted Tamil Nadu’s difficult financial position since assuming office.

The Assembly Secretariat is yet to finalise arrangements relating to the vehicle scheme. Speaker Prabhakar has not taken a decision on the DMK’s letter, according to Assembly sources.

However, questions remain over how the DMK legislators can decline the entire package. The government is reportedly planning to incorporate the new benefits, including vehicle-related allowances and other perks, into the revised monthly salaries of MLAs.

While the legislators can refuse government-provided cars, the enhanced allowances may automatically be credited to their bank accounts as part of their salaries. Assembly officials said the practical implications of the DMK’s decision would become clear after the Secretariat completes the scheme’s implementation guidelines.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman