Differently-abled demand hike in assistance similar to Andhra Pradesh

TARATDAC protests in Denkanikottai for higher disability assistance, demanding parity with Andhra Pradesh's welfare scheme.

Tamil Nadu Association for Rights of All Types of Differently-abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) staged a protest demonstration demanding a hike in disability assistance along with a raft of other demands in Denkanikottai on Tuesday.

The protesters, as part of the state-wide protests to “fill the jails” over the various demands, called for a hike in disability assistance similar to that of Andhra Pradesh. According to the differently-abled rights organisation, the monthly payouts and coverage of the differently-abled by Tamil Nadu was abysmal with a mere ₹1,500 for disabilities and ₹2,000 for severe disabilities. Besides the coverage of the differently-abled population was only 7.3 lakh. This was in stark contrast to the Andhra Pradesh welfare scheme, where differently-abled are paid minimum monthly assistance of ₹6,000, and ₹10,000 and ₹15,000 respectively as per the nature of disability.

TARATDAC demanded revised and hiked assistance in the range of ₹6,000, ₹10,000 and ₹15,000 respectively.

The protesters also demanded revocation of the new rule that demands that differently-abled clock 8 hours at the worksite under the MNREGS. The earlier rule of 50% work and 4-hour work time under MNREGS for the differently-abled had been revised. The disability rights organisation demanded a four-hour work rule for the differently-abled beneficiaries under the rural employment guarantee scheme.

The protesters also demanded disbursement of disability assistance through the department of differently-abled welfare.