Government set to launch umbrella scheme for transgender community

NEW DELHI: Waking up to the cause of the transgender community, the government is all set to launch an umbrella scheme to provide better education facilities to transgender children and provide financial aid to out-of-work transgenders.

In a bid to address the social stigma, the umbrella scheme would also provide monetary benefit to families with transgender children and encourage them not to abandon them. The ministry of social justice and empowerment is giving finishing touches to an umbrella scheme which would be launched in the next financial year.

The umbrella scheme would have five components – pre-matric and post-matric scholarship for transgender children, support for vocational training of transgenders, pension for out-of-work transgenders in the age group of 40 to 60 years and monthly monetary support for families with transgender children. At present, there is no substantial monetary support from the government’s side. Central assistance only comes in the form of paltry pensions of Rs 200 to Rs 400 per month. The umbrella scheme would provide this support to the transgender community. The monetary benefits would also be enhanced.

An expert committee had studied socio-economic problems faced by the transgender community and given its report in January 2014. According to ministry sources, the government has received comments from all states and has given final shape to the umbrella scheme.

This initiative would be launched before the ministry pushes the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2015.