Tamil Nadu Legislators' Free Car Allocation Sparks Political Criticism The leader of the Naam Thamizhar party, C. Sivakumar, has raised questions about the Tamil Nadu government’s plan to provide free cars to all legislators, criticizing the financial burden on taxpayers and the lack of transparency in public spending. In a statement, Sivakumar highlighted that the state government has already allocated over ₹176 crore annually for legislators’ car expenses, with an additional ₹10 lakh per month per MLA, raising concerns about the necessity of such a policy. Sivakumar pointed out that many legislators already own personal vehicles, as their election manifestos listed car ownership as a pre-existing condition. He questioned the rationale for providing free cars to those who already possess them, arguing that this practice would stifle public scrutiny of government actions. “If every MLA is given a car, who will dare criticize the administration? Will they remain silent to avoid challenging the government?” he asked, suggesting that this policy would create a system of indirect patronage rather than accountability. The critic also highlighted the financial implications of the policy, noting that the cost of a single car ranges from ₹30 lakh to ₹70 lakh, with additional expenses for fuel, maintenance, and insurance totaling hundreds of crores annually. He emphasized that these funds could instead be used to address pressing public needs, such as protecting farmers’ crops from spoilage and improving infrastructure. Sivakumar further criticized the government for failing to deliver on promises made during the election campaign, including welfare schemes for women and other public initiatives.#mla #tamil_nadu_government #c_sivakumar #naam_thamizhar_party #110th_rule
