Tamil Nadu's disabled demand ₹6,000 monthly aid, protest at Chennai office
Over 400 persons with disabilities staged a protest outside the Commissionerate for the Welfare of the Differently-Abled on Kamaraj Salai in Chennai on Monday, demanding an increase in the monthly assistance from ₹1,500 to ₹6,000.
The demonstration was part of a State-wide protest organised by the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC). Protesters raised slogans and held placards, drawing attention to what they described as a long-pending demand that has seen no response from the State government.
Speaking about the demand, TARATDAC member Jayachandran said that several other States provide far more generous assistance. “Most states such as Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh give an assistance of ₹4,500 to ₹5,700. Tamil Nadu is still sticking to ₹1,500, which is insufficient,” he said.
The protesters argued that ₹1,500 does not even cover the basic expenses of two visits to a doctor. “Travel, medicines, and consultation fees alone take up most of the amount,” said one protester, who asked not to be named. “When employment is scarce for us, there is no way to support ourselves but for assistance. It should be increased. We had expected some announcement regarding this in the Assembly session, but we are disappointed.”
Persons with disabilities in Tamil Nadu currently receive a monthly assistance of ₹1,500 under the State government’s disability pension scheme. This amount has remained unchanged for several years despite rising costs of living and medical care. The protesters point out that inflation has severely eroded the purchasing power of this amount, making it difficult for beneficiaries to meet even basic needs.
The demand for revision to ₹6,000 has been raised repeatedly by disability rights groups across the State. TARATDAC has been campaigning for this increase along with other issues such as better access to public spaces, employment opportunities, and healthcare services. The organisation has also asked for the assistance to be linked to inflation and revised periodically.
The protest comes during the ongoing Assembly session, and the demonstrators expressed disappointment that no announcement was made regarding the assistance. They urged the government to consider the demand urgently and to treat it as a matter of dignity and survival for persons with disabilities.
No official response from the State government or the Commissionerate was available until the time of writing. The protesters said they would continue their agitation if the demand is not addressed.
The issue highlights the broader challenges faced by persons with disabilities in India, where social security coverage remains limited and often inadequate. Disability rights activists argue that adequate financial support is not only a matter of welfare but also a fundamental step toward ensuring equality and inclusion for people with disabilities, as recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
