Jul 4, 2012 R Vasundara
CHENNAI: M Subbayan living in Madurai is entitled to Rs 1000 per month as part of a maintenance scheme for severely disabled. Subbayan's son, Venkatraman, 32, is mentally challenged and Subbayan is retired. "Doctors certified my son with 50% disability," said Subbayan. "But at the collector's office they refused to pay me the money saying he needs to be 60% disabled to be eligible for the scheme. This is despite the legislature announcing a minimum of 45% disability. What's worse is that, after we got rejected for the scheme, we got an email saying our funds have already been disbursed. It turned out that the collector's office had a target to finish disbursal by a certain date. When we enquired, we found that my son's application was rejected and no money was to come," he said. Times Now's expose on corruption in the differently-abled welfare department is only tip of the iceberg, say disabled activists. "Both the maintenance and Indira Gandhi Old age scheme face this problem," said Deepak TMN of Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation. " In many cases, lower level officials have to bribed with at least Rs 4000 - Rs 5000 in order to receive the Rs 1000 per month payment." "Both MLA and MP funds have Rs 5 lakh and Rs 10 Lakh respectively earmarked for disabled welfare alone. But so far, in most constituencies, that money has not been spent. They say it is earmarked for aids like crutches and calipers. But since the government gives us those aids, these funds remain unspent. They could be spent on rehabilitation" said Deepak. Similarly, loans for disabled offered by National Handicapped Financial Corporation are rarely channelised by district cooperative banks. "Their conditions are so stringent that the scheme, although intended for the poor among the disabled, can only be availed by middle and upper class disabled," said Deepak. http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-04/chennai/32536569_1_disabled-activists-disabled-welfare-tamil-nadu-handicapped-federation -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
