Government doubles educational assistance for disabled students
The Tamil Nadu government has increased the educational assistance for disabled students from Class one to post-graduation. The social welfare minister, Geetha Jeevan, announced that a sum of Rs 7 crore has been allocated to this cause. Speaking on behalf of Chief Minister MK Stalin, Jeevan said that modernized talking equipment would be provided to 1,000 visually impaired students at the cost of Rs 1.4 crore. Additionally, 5% of shops in commercial complexes will be reserved for the disabled.
The department has allocated Rs 1.2 crore to provide interest-free loans to the disabled to help them pay their share for government-allotted houses. Meanwhile, Rs 4.5 crore has been allotted to provide special scooters to 500 disabled persons across the state, including those with a disability in one leg. The consolidated pay given to employees in government-aided primary training and rehabilitation centers for the disabled has been increased with an allocation of Rs 5.34 crore. Additionally, government-aided special schools will be allowed to hire caretakers on consolidated pay of Rs 4,500 with an allocation of Rs 1.76 crore.
The government will also implement the ‘Home Again’ scheme to reunite rehabilitated mentally disabled persons with their families on a pilot basis in five districts. The government will conduct special recruitment drives to clear the backlog in the appointment of differently-abled persons in various departments. Furthermore, homes will be created for mentally and intellectually challenged persons in Thiruvarur and Mayilduthurai.
The social welfare minister also assured the public that steps are being taken to ensure the quality of eggs served in noon meal centers and Anganwadi centers. Suppliers will replace rotten eggs as per the conditions of the contract. The government’s commitment to improving the lives of disabled individuals is commendable and shows that they are striving towards a more inclusive society.
Re-Reported from the story originally published in The New Indian Express
