Madurai will be beggar-free in three months, vows Collector

Addressing media persons, the Collector, who recently received a Central government award for the efforts in District Disability Rehabilitation Services, said that the it was an honour in recognition of the services of all the departments and not just the welfare of differently abled persons department.

In 2016-17, schemes worth Rs 14.36 crore were implemented to improve the facilities for the differentlyabled through the respective department, while Rs 35.77 crore was spent through other government agencies.

This is the third national award received by the Collector in last two years.

Earlier, he was felicitated for the good work undertaken during 2016 assembly election and conservation of heritage buildings in Madurai.

Recalling an experience during one of the dengue inspection drive in the district, the collector said an 80-year-old man, who was seeking alms, told him that he resorted to beggary to take care of his ‘partiallyblind’ wife. Subsequently, the collector assured the elderly man of a monthly pension to him and his wife if he abandoned seeking alms.

In the same way, effective rehabilitation measures would be worked out to eradicate beggary completely in the district, Rao assured.

This would also boost the image of Madurai as the city was dotted with a number of heritage buildings and also one of the important tourist destinations in the State, he said.

When asked about the accusations of differently-abled people that there were no proper toilet facilities for them in the Collectorate, he said that the award was not the end of his mission and it was a motivation to continue to the good work. Soon, lifts and toilets for differently-abled would be built in the Collectorate. Works are under way, he added.

Earlier, the Collector gave his donations for ‘Flag Day’.