TARATDAC condemns exclusion of differently abled from ‘Vetri Payanam’ no-fare bus scheme

The Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Types of Differently Abled and Caregivers (TARATDAC) staged a protest here on Monday condemning the State government over the exclusion of differently abled people from the newly launched ‘Vetri Payanam’ no-fare bus travel scheme.

TARATDAC district president N. Mathibarathi and district secretary A. Balamurugan asserted that the government order issued on October 1 served as a clear proof that differently abled people were deliberately left out of the initiative, which rolled out on October 2.

Pointing out that the order made no mention of free travel for the disabled, the association slammed the administration for what it termed a continuous pattern of betrayal and marginalisation.

The controversy stemmed from an earlier legislative announcement made by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on August 24, 2026, which declared free bus travel for women, children, transgender women, and transgender men, while omitting differently abled people.

Following protests organised by TARATDAC, the Chief Minister announced during the demands for grants for the disabled on August 31 that persons with disabilities would also be included in the no-fare travel scheme.

However, differently abled individuals who awaited the implementation of the scheme experienced profound disappointment upon its launch, said Mr. Balamurugan.

Calling the exclusion deeply infuriating, the association demanded rectification and reiterated that they would continue to hold the government accountable for the rights and welfare of differently abled citizens.