The Tamil Nadu government would bring about legislation to provide for the representation of differently-abled persons in the local bodies in the State, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced on Thursday. Legislations to amend the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998 and the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act, 1994 accordingly would be tabled in the upcoming Assembly session scheduled to commence on March 14. However, he did not elaborate the percentage of representation his government aims to provide for the differently-abled.
“This would ensure the representation of differently-abled persons in the local bodies. Their voices would be heard in the local bodies. The differently-abled, who are among the marginalised sections, would be part of bodies with authority,” Mr. Stalin said. The Dravidian movement came about only to hand over positions of authority in the hands of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Backward and Most Backward Classes and the minorities, he underlined.
During his speech after inaugurating the Periyar Government Hospital in Periyar Nagar in his Kolathur Assembly constituency, Mr. Stalin said he was proud that his government was implementing ideas that were based on progressive principles. The CM also flagged off new vehicles that are designed to provide healthcare services to persons with disabilities as part of the for ‘Vizhuthugal’ initiative launched by the e Department for the Welfare of the Differently Abed Persons.
Mr. Stalin also launched the distribution of 72 retrofitted petrol scooters that are aimed at aiding the smooth movement of the differently abled persons. Ministers E.V. Velu, Ma. Subramanian and P.K. Sekarbabu; Chennai Mayor R. Priya; Chennai North MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy; Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam and senior officials were present on the occasion.
