Disabled man denied free 3-wheeler

Chennai: Even if God wills, the priest holds back the boon, goes an old Tamil saying.

A free three-wheeler was sanctioned for A. Devarajan (38), a disabled electrician in Kancheepuram, under the MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) fund by MP T.K. Rangarajan in early 2013.

But disabled welfare officer (DWO) K. Jasmine rejected the issuance of the vehicle in January 2014 saying that Devarajan still has one 'full' leg and thus he doesn't qualify to get a free vehicle from the government.

While Rangarajan says he sanctioned the vehicle as per guidelines, the DWO argues that she too was following guidelines and rejected the application.

Devarajan lost his left leg in a road accident in May 2011. He has to get back to his electrician work to save his family. But the disability affected his mobility.

"When MP Rangarajan sanctioned funds for a three-wheeler, I regained hope. I applied for the vehicle along with necessary identity cards and medical certificate. The DWO outright refused to issue the vehicle reasoning that she has to follow the prescribed guidelines," Devarajan told DC.

Rangarajan told DC, "I sanctioned the vehicle fully knowing the guidelines of the MPLADS funds. There is no reference that a disabled person with one leg would not qualify for the vehicle. Even then, a person with one leg is also a disabled person and he needs the vehicle. " Reacting to the issue, DWO Jasmine said, "I have to follow the guidelines given to me. I cannot relax the notification for one beneficiary."

Members of TARATDAC (Tamil Nadu Association for All Types of Differently Abled Persons and Care Givers) have raised this issue with the state commission for disabled welfare and asked for immediate action to issue the vehicle to Devaraj.