Internal bus services for persons with disabilities were launched at the National Institute of Empowerment for Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD) at Muttukadu in Kancheepuram district.
Launching the services on Friday, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot also laid the foundation stones for Nambikkai Bhawan, consisting of hostel for students and research scholars, gymnasium, library, dining hall and space for short-term family stay.
In his address, Mr. Gehlot said the Centre had already released ₹13.52 crore for Nambikkai Bhavan, out of the estimated cost of ₹20.78 crore. He also distributed aid and assistance to persons with disabilities.
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, under its CSR initiative, has agreed to build an accessible special utility area for the beneficiaries and parents at a cost of ₹31.70 crore.
State Social Welfare Minister V. Saroja said the State government had increased its budget allocations from ₹190 crore in 2011-12 to ₹545.21 crore in 2018-19 for empowering the persons with disabilities under various programmes.
State Commissoner for the Differently-abled V. Arun Roy; Principal Secretary of Department of Welfare of Differently-abled C. Vijayaraj Kumar; Kancheepuram MP Maragatham Kumaravel and NIEPMD Director Hemangshu Das were present.
