: A physically challenged man tried to set himself ablaze at the collectorate here after he was reportedly refused permission by officials to set up a shop at a panchayat but did not take the step on the advice of the Collector.
Collector K Magarabhusanam said the 45-year-old man met him and said he wanted to take the extreme step as officials of Mecheri panchayat had refused permission to open a shop.
The Collector informed him it was not possible to advise the panchayat union to allot space for a shop, but that he would make arranagements to avail of a loan to set it up elsewhere. Following this assurance, the man relented.
The man, who is married, has four daughters.
