He announced a monthly allowance of ₹75,000 for the car’s maintenance, fuel and driver’s salary, while the monthly allowance for the assistant would be ₹25,000.
“Necessary amendments will be made to the law, and orders will be issued,” Vijay said. The chief minister said MLAs had to travel continuously as part of their constituency work. He emphasised that they should not have to depend on others for their work and should be able to function honestly in villages and remote areas, meet people and address their grievances.
The announcement followed a request by LE Jothimani, representing the Kattumannarkoil assembly constituency, who said on August 12 that many MLAs did not have cars and were unable to undertake constituency work and inspections. Jothimani also argued that many MLAs were unable to afford an assistant and carry out constituency work.
Vijay also made a slew of announcements in the health sector, including a fivefold increase in the coverage under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme to ₹25 lakh.
He also spoke of the construction of a 400-bed multi-super-speciality hospital at a cost of ₹300 crore in Perambur, the constituency he represents, and allocation of ₹673.44 crore for the Cancer Mission.
Vijay said medical services and surgeries for transgender women would also be offered at Stanley Medical College and hospitals attached to medical colleges in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Chengalpattu, Tiruvarur, Dharmapuri and Kanniyakumari under the CM health cover scheme.
