Physically-challenged S. Sivakumar, 38, who runs a small stationery shop in Virudhunagar, has not given up hope on his petition to the government for the Rs 10,000 special gift that he should have received when he married tailor Gunabakiyam in 2004.
Under the state scheme launched in early 2000, a physically-challenged person is eligible for a cash ‘gift’ at the time of marriage to help him/her lead a normal life.
The problem is not the size of the gift, but the delay in getting it. Like Sivakumar waiting for his cheque over eight years, there are hundreds of couples — both man and wife disabled in many cases — who have not been paid the promised ‘gift’.
“There are over 3,300 couples waiting for the gift,” admitted an official seeking anonymity.
The applications are piling up at the disabled welfare department. “I presented petitions many times. Whenever we approach the officials, we are told that the department is yet to receive funds,” says Sivakumar. “I hope I will get the money soon. It will help me admit my seven-year-old daughter Logapriya in a good school,” he said.
Department secretary Kannagi Packianathan told Deccan Chronicle that officials were carrying out the verification process. “We have received rs 6 crore funds for this scheme. We will verify the couples and release the money shortly,” she assured.
However, some disabled persons’ rights outfit claims that the department got its funds only after doing the verification process and there was no need for fresh verification.