Differently abled people from Madurai appealed to Member of Parliament Su. Venkatesan to raise the issues pertaining to their welfare during the upcoming Parliament session.  

The people represented by Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) submitted petitions to Mr. Venkatesan.  

A. Balamurugan, district secretary, TARATDAC, said that the Union Government, on its part, granted only ₹300 for the monthly assistance given to differently abled people.  

“Along with ₹300, the State government by adding ₹1,200, gives ₹1,500 every month. And for five specific disabilities, it is ₹2,000. For that too, the Union government’s share is only ₹300,” he added.  

The Union government, by considering the medical expenses and other needs of the differently abled people, should increase the assistance to ₹5,000, he said.  

By doing so, Mr. Balamurugan said that the State government would also think of increasing the assistance amount.  

Also, the eligibility age (18) fixed by the Union government to enjoy the monthly monetary assistance should be relaxed and be changed to everyone with disability certificate, he noted.  

The differently abled people who hold the Antyodaya Anna Yojana ration card were given 20 kg rice every month through Public Distribution System (PDS) shops. 

If the Union government wished to grant its share, the free rice could be increased to 35kg, he noted.  

“The 35kg quantity would be very helpful for the people who rely only on the PDS shops for their monthly groceries,” he said.  

Mr. Balamurugan said that the MP assured them that the issues would be raised and discussed in the upcoming session.