Differently Abled Rally Demands Higher Disability Aid in Tamil Nadu
Differently Abled Rally Demands Higher Disability Aid in Tamil Nadu
Disability rights activists rally near Periyar Bus Stand, urging Tamil Nadu to raise monthly assistance from ₹1,500–₹2,000 to ₹6,000–₹15,000 amid rising living costs.
Members of the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) staged a road picketing protest near Periyar Bus Stand on Tuesday, urging the State government to immediately address their charter of demands. The demonstrators pointed out a stark disparity in welfare support, noting that while Tamil Nadu provides a monthly pension of ₹1,500 for general disability and ₹2,000 for severe disability, neighbouring States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Puducherry offer significantly higher assistance, ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹10,000. “Many of us are physically unable to perform daily chores or hold regular jobs. The current State assistance is meant to be a lifeline, yet it falls short of what is needed to sustain a basic standard of living,” said Balamurugan, district secretary of TARATDAC. He emphasised that the rising cost of essential commodities—particularly staples like rice—has pushed the differently-abled community into a precarious financial state, making survival increasingly difficult. To rescue the community from this hardship, the association urged the Tamil Nadu government to revise the monthly assistance to ₹6,000 for those with standard disabilities, ₹10,000 for severe disabilities, and ₹15,000 for bedridden individuals.
The protest underscored a growing debate over welfare adequacy as costs of everyday essentials continue to climb. Activists reiterated that the proposed hikes would bring Tamil Nadu closer to the levels seen in nearby states and help families cope with medical, housing, and daily living expenses. Some demonstrators were detained by police during the event, according to reports from the scene, underscoring the high tensions surrounding social welfare policy and protest rights.
