The Hindu : Government order puts handicapped persons in a spot

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Government order puts handicapped persons in a spot

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MARCH 25. A State Government Order banning the deposit and advancing of cash for various projects have put the handicapped persons in distress as many a civic bodies are finding it difficult to place orders for aid equipment for them.

The order came in the wake of complaints that a large amount of public money was deposited in various accounts, including some personal accounts, during the previous years. The order has prevented the Kochi Corporation from placing orders for the support equipment for the handicapped with Keltron, which is to manufacture them. The civic body had earmarked Rs. 66 lakh for the purchase of support systems for the financially backward-handicapped persons in the last budget. If the Kochi Corporation fails to get the order lifted at least in this case before March 31, the end of the fiscal, the civic body would be losing the amount and many a handicapped persons a chance to live peacefully.

It was after a series of camps for disabled persons that the Corporation identified the beneficiaries of the project and support systems would be made according to the individual needs of the applicants.

As there was no enough number if applicants for availing the assistance earlier, the Corporation had to repeatedly place advertisements for finding out beneficiaries. If the State Government refuses to lift the ban order before March 31, the Corporation will also be losing the amount equivalent to lapsed fund from the next year's plan fund, pointed out civic authorities.

The order has made it mandatory a statement of completion of projects for releasing funds. It also stipulated that a declaration stating that the money would not be used as deposit or advance payments be made for releasing funds. However, the order has exempted the depositing of money for the works done by the government departments like the Kerala State Electricity Board and Kerala Water Authority. As the Keltron is also a Government establishment, the civic authorities are hoping to get an exemption order along the lines of one issued for KSEB and KWA.

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