Thrissur:
Despite protests from the Communist Party-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today commenced his mass contact programme in Thrissur.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chandy said Government has decided to raise the annual income ceiling for eligibility of various benefits for differently abled persons from Rs 25,000 to Rs 3 lakh.
The chief minister settled several petitions and requests of assistance on the spot. People have thronged the Thekkinkadu maidan, venue of the programme, to meet Mr Chandy to redress their grievances and tokens have already been issued to over 400 persons, officials said.
Mr Chandy embarked on the second phase of the Mass Contact Programme last month.
LDF activists staged a black flag demonstration demanding Mr Chandy's resignation on the solar panel scam. When they attempted to take out a procession to the venue, police blocked them.
The opposition has organised protests at the programme venues as part of their ongoing boycott of Mr Chandy demanding his resignation over the solar scam.