Taking all steps to ensure welfare of differently abled people: Pondy CM

Speaking at a function organised to provide wheelchairs, tri-cycles to differently-abled people here, the CM said the administration has taken steps to provide ramps in government offices to ensure accessibility to the differently-abled persons at a cost of Rs 6 crore and pointed out that the facility was provided at the Education Department at a cost of Rs 55 lakh.

Apart from this, Braille system was introduced at the Romain Roalland Library here for the blind persons, he added.

Exhorting the public not to show any discrimination towards differently-abled people, Narayanasamy said 4 per cent reservation was obtained for them after a struggle with the Union Government.

He said that though the funds from the Centre is not provided properly, files have been kept ready to provide free rice for two months.

The Central Government has not provided funds to implement the sixth and seventh pay commission recommendations and calamity reliefs, the CM said.

"Inspite of files being blocked on a day-to-day basis, welfare schemes are being implemented without any discrimination through our earnest efforts and that's why Puducherry stood first in tourism, agriculture, education, health and police departments."

"Now a school at Narambai here has come up with a project on water saving and bagged first prize from the Central Government. The prize is to be distributed soon," he added.

Welfare Minister M Kandasamy said that after the dharna in front of the Raj Nivas, Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has agreed to provide free rice. But even after a week, the file was not yet signed.

He said after rice and dhoti, sari are being provided as it reaches directly to the beneficiaries. "Earlier, when cash was deposited in bank accounts, spouses utilise it to buy a drink. That's why it was decided to provide welfare schemes in commodity once again," Kandasamy said.

"The Member of Parliament from Puducherry should raise his voice to set right the financial crisis prevailing in the Union Territory," the Minister added.

The present government is remitting the loan obtained ten years back along with interest, Kandasamy said adding that welfare schemes would soon be implemented in a proper manner.