The transgenders’ community in Karnataka has all the reasons to rejoice with the state government announcing that it would address almost all their demands, including the grant of monthly pension to the sexuality minority.
The announcement was made after a delegation, led by former minister and Yeshwantpur legislator Shobha Karandlaje, submitted a memorandum to chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Wednesday.
“On the lines of monthly pension provided to Devadasis, we will give Rs400 to the transgenders who are above 40 years of age,” announced the chief minister.
An official order will be issued soon in this regard. The state government is also contemplating a separate directorate for the transgenders similar to the one in Tamil Nadu, Yeddyurappa said.
“It has come to my knowledge that in other states ration cards are being issued to transgenders, but in our state there is no such provision. We will introduce that scheme. Apart from this, we will also take action to allot sites for the transgenders under the Ashraya scheme,” said the chief minister.
The slew of benefits for transgenders came sooner than expected thanks to the efforts of former minister Karandlaje.
A transgender group had held a public interaction with Karandlaje in June. Submitting the memorandum, Karandlaje demanded that sexuality minorities should be brought into the mainstream.
The transgenders are also demanding medical facilities, inclusion of their names in voters’ list and reservation of one seat in degree and post-graduate courses in state universities. The chief minister promised to consider all other issues raised by the community. h_srikanth@dnaindia.net
