Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Relaxation of norms comes as a boon

MADURAI: Differently-abled persons and their family members have thanked Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi for relaxing the income ceiling for availing benefits.

After an exclusive ministry for the welfare of differently-abled was established under the Chief Minister's portfolio, there has been a tremendous focus on improving the lot of these people and their grievances are being redressed with care and promptness, officials said.

With Collectors directly receiving petitions from differently-abled persons and their families, action is swift. The progress on the applications is reviewed regularly at meetings. There is no dearth of funds. The differently-abled department has been provided with officers to conduct field verification and they also ensure that the quality of equipment supplied to the beneficiaries is good.

Some of the differently-abled beneficiaries narrated their tale at the Collectorate here. A retired postal department staff, Gangaram of C.A.S. Colony, told reporters, “I have six children. Five of them are suffering from mental disabilities. With a meagre pension, I was unable to meet the medical expenses of my children. Unfortunately, to get government's benefit my pension came as a deterrent factor. I did not stop there. I petitioned to the Chief Minister. Within a reasonable period, I got good news — that the State government relaxed the income ceiling (of Rs 12,500) to enjoy benefits. It has come in handy for me. Soon, my five children had been issued with the identity cards. Today, with a monthly financial assistance of Rs. 500 each, I am able to settle the medical bills to a great extent. I am pretty confident now.”

Muthuvazhivittan (20), son of Gandhi of Solai Alagupuram here, said, “At the age of one, due to polio, I lost the functions of my legs. My father works in a teashop. Spending for education was disfficult. Still, I completed my schooling successfully. However, going to college was a pain as I did not have a vehicle. Someone had to help me. On hearing that the differently-disabled welfare department would help, I applied. The government provided a user-friendly powered tri-cycle which could be operated using petrol or battery.”

Collector C. Kamaraj said that 23,534 beneficiaries had been identified in the district and identity cards issued to them.

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