The Tamil Nadu BJP has raised concerns about financial and administrative irregularities in the implementation of the RIGHTS project, a disability welfare initiative funded by the World Bank. The party spokesperson, A.N.S. Prasad, stated that over Rs 100 crore may have been misused due to inflated expenses and alleged manipulation of attendance records. As part of the Rs 1,702 crore RIGHTS project, aimed at aiding 18 lakh persons with disabilities, initiatives include enhanced accessibility, assistive device distribution, vocational training, self-employment support, and rehabilitation services.
The BJP representative criticized the project for inefficiencies and suspected financial mismanagement, claiming that the project’s goals were not being met. Prasad highlighted that the project employs 5,432 staff members across 388 unions, incurring an annual salary cost of Rs 107.52 crore. He questioned the necessity of such a large administrative setup and expressed concerns over delays in completing the disability census, which he believed could lead to irregularities.
A.N.S. Prasad further alleged that manipulation of attendance records, such as the inclusion of fictitious workers, had inflated administrative expenses, diverting funds intended for direct benefits to persons with disabilities. He warned that such actions, if proven, would violate constitutional provisions ensuring equality, dignity, and social security, as well as contravene the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and India’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
While acknowledging the state government’s allocation of Rs 1,433 crore for disability welfare in the current budget, including Rs 125 crore for assistive devices and integrated service centers, Prasad cautioned that these allocations could lose impact if administrative irregularities persist. He urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to initiate an inquiry led by a retired High Court judge to investigate alleged fund diversions, staffing anomalies, and attendance record fraud. Prasad also called for transparent disclosure of expenditures and the publication of a white paper detailing the RIGHTS project’s progress, achievements, and deficiencies, emphasizing the need for empowerment and accountability for persons with disabilities.
