by Johanna Deeksha

After the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment sought feedback from the public over the Draft Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020, 150 transgender persons have responded seeking an extension to do the same. The transgender community stated that it was unfair to seek feedback during the lockdown as several members continue to struggle to meet their basic needs.

The Ministry had issued the call for feedback on April 18 and gave the deadline for submission as April 30. The community said in their letter to the Ministry that they were shocked to note the timing and manner of seeking feedback - one, because of the lockdown and second, because the feedback time was inconsistent with the pre-Legislative Consultation Policy (PLCP), 2014 which states that all details pertaining to a proposed bill or rules must be placed in public domain for a period of 30 days. “The Policy also envisages a process for consultation with the specific communities/ groups affected by such law or rules,” they said in their letter.

Without consultation, no sensible reply could be given, they pointed out. “The feedback is expected within 12 days, that too at a time when the nation is in lockdown and no physical interaction between members of the community is possible for deliberations or consultations and transgender people are struggling for basic survival,” the community members said in their letter to the Ministry. Read more via Edex