During Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s four-day visit to Guna in Madhya Pradesh, a tricycle handed over to a person with disabilities malfunctioned just minutes after the ceremony, raising questions about the quality and durability of assistive equipment being distributed by government departments.

Ramratan Ojha, an elderly resident of Purani Chhavani, had requested a tricycle from the minister during a public event. Acting promptly on Scindia’s instructions, the Department of Social Justice arranged the cycle, and the minister personally handed it over to Ojha. In a brief but emotional ceremony, Scindia garlanded Ojha, who expressed his gratitude tearfully and thanked the minister for fulfilling his request.

However, the celebratory moment was short-lived. Barely 500 metres after leaving the Circuit House, near Hanuman Crossing, the rim of the tricycle’s wheel bent out of shape. Ojha was left stranded in the middle of the road, unable to continue his journey. Local residents rushed to his aid, and the tricycle had to be temporarily abandoned on the roadside.

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Officials from the Department of Social Justice provided an explanation, stating that the wheel may have been damaged after being struck by a passing motorcycle while Ojha was riding the tricycle. Abdul Gaffar Khan, a department official, assured that the tricycle, which was under warranty, would be replaced within a short span of an hour or two. “The wheel may have been impacted by an external factor, but the department will ensure it is promptly replaced,” he said.

Local shopkeepers and witnesses, however, presented a different account. According to them, the wheel appeared to bend on its own, suggesting potential defects in the equipment rather than external damage. They claimed the tricycle’s malfunction reflected the poor quality of assistive devices being distributed to beneficiaries, adding to public criticism over the department’s procurement and monitoring processes.

The incident has sparked broader concerns about the safety and reliability of government-provided mobility aids, which are intended to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. Officials from the Social Justice department have stated that a thorough review of the incident will be conducted to determine whether the malfunction was due to external factors or equipment quality issues.

While the immediate issue is expected to be resolved with the replacement of the tricycle, the incident has drawn attention to the importance of stringent quality checks, proper maintenance, and accountability in the distribution of assistive devices, particularly for vulnerable citizens who rely on them for mobility and independence.

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