By Nidhi Sharma

The ministry of social justice and empowerment has earmarked ₹500 crore – ₹ 100 crore per year – for the the welfare of transgenders which includes student scholarships, skilling programmes to provide livelihood opportunities, setting up of welfare homes and health initiatives, among other measures. The plan, which aims to help end the societal stigma faced by the community, comes over a year after Parliament passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 (in November).

R Subrahmanyam, secretary, social justice and empowerment, said, “There are five key areas identified in the Act for transgender persons. These include initiatives in health, social welfare, education, accommodation and skilling. The government is working towards implementing the initiatives.”

Starting April 1, the government would roll out scholarship schemes to ensure transgender children are accepted in mainstream schools and do not drop out. Health schemes would also be initiated. The government would also fund correctional surgeries, in case a transgender chooses to undergo it. Every state capital would have ‘Garima Griha’, or welfare homes, for transgenders to ensure they do not live on the streets. Skilling programmes would be initiated.

Subrahmanyam said, “The states would play a key role in implementing the initiatives. This is why we would be organising an all-India conference of states this month to understand their requirements and how to go ahead with the plan.” Read more via Economic Times