Chennai: The free travel scheme on government buses has now been extended to persons with disabilities as well. The Tamil Nadu government has also issued an order to provide financial assistance of up to Rs. 30,000 for them to buy modern AI-based assistive devices.
In this regard, government orders issued by Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department Secretary So. Madhumathi state the following: In Tamil Nadu, all categories of persons with disabilities with 40 percent and above impairment, along with one accompanying person, have so far been permitted to travel free of charge only on ordinary city buses.
At present, free travel has also been extended to city and town ordinary buses, express buses, low-floor buses, LSS, deluxe buses (excluding air-conditioned buses), and ordinary fare buses operated in suburban and hilly areas of government transport corporations.
Persons with disabilities who wish to avail this concession can travel on buses by showing the 16-digit identification card (UDID) issued by the Tamil Nadu government to the conductor.
For this project expansion, an initial allocation of Rs. 7.90 crore has been made, and an order has been issued to take effect immediately.
AI Equipment
It has been announced that government subsidy will be provided when persons with disabilities purchase advanced modern equipment based on artificial intelligence (AI), such as assistive devices and artificial limbs, to help them live independently.
A financial assistance of 50 percent of the total cost of the equipment, or up to a maximum of Rs. 30,000 (whichever is lower), will be provided.
Persons with disabilities who wish to benefit under this scheme may, after obtaining a government doctor’s recommendation and purchasing the equipment, apply with the relevant documents at the District Disabled Welfare Office within 60 days. This is stated therein.
