Only destitutes can avail govt benefits
Differently-abled
Chennai: Hundreds of differently abled persons and physically challenged beneficiaries of various government schemes are protesting against a recent government order that states only destitutes can avail government benefits.
The government order issued by the social welfare department aims at reducing government expense towards the disabled, but the initiative is seen as a blow to the physically challenged fraternity, said S. Namburajan, state secretary, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of all types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC).
At present, about 2.74 lakh people with different disabilities are benefited through social welfare department. While those receiving assistance, pensions and benefits under revenue department will not suffer, beneficiaries covered under the social welfare department will be impacted by the new government order.
The new government order dated April 17, 2015, has introduced the word “destitute” to the earlier order copy and in this scenario, a physically challenged has to prove that he or she is a destitute.
The state’s order will also affect beneficiaries under the central government schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme and India Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, Namburajan said if the government order is not annulled, the physically challenged will stage a statewide demonstration next month burning the government orders, he said.
“Handling a disabled person is so difficult, the government has passed an inhumane order where now a differently abled should prove that he or she is a destitute. If the order is not revoked we would appeal the court quashing the order,” said advocate N. Lingadurai of Villupuram.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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