Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Saturday inaugurated the free bus pass scheme for senior citizens and announced new schemes to empower the differently-abled in the state.
Making a suo motu announcement under the Assembly rule 110, she said the percentage of disability required for getting monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 would be reduced from 60 per cent to 40 per cent. Further, the norm that insists that a differently-abled person should be a destitute to get monthly assistance would be relaxed so that all physically challenged will benefit from all the state’s schemes.
She also announced that the state would strictly adhere to the three per cent reservation for differently-abled. Pointing out that so far 5,633 differently-abled persons had been given employment in government public sector undertakings, she said a committee would be formed to monitor the implementation of welfare schemes for the physically challenged.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced the construction of a Mani Mandapam for the late leader of farmers’ association V. Narayanasamy at his memorial at Vaiyampalayam in Coimbatore district.
Jaya thanks oppn and Speaker:
In her parting speech on the last day of the 14th Assembly session, Jayalalithaa on Saturday thanked MLAs of opposition parties and lauded Speaker P. Dhanapal for being ‘unbiased’ in his handling of affairs of the House.
“I am very happy to have worked as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister with the elected members of this House. While there have been many heated debates, I thank the Opposition members for having worked without any hostility,” she said.
She also extended felicitations to Speaker P. Dhanapal and Leader of the House, O. Panneerselvam, and termed the government an opportunity to serve the public.
