Cabinet may soon take up Bill to recognise transgenders

The Union Cabinet is likely to take up a Bill to provide recognition to transgenders and protect their rights soon, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.

The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has finalised the framework of the Bill and a cabinet note has already been circulated, Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said during a discussion on a Private Member’s Bill on the Rights of Transgender Persons, which has been passed by the Rajya Sabha.

He said he hoped that the Union Cabinet would soon take up the draft on the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill for consideration. Gehlot asserted that the government was committed to protect the interest of transgenders.

The minister said the Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha had some procedural difficulties and “we have also filed a review petition in the Supreme Court”.

He said there were also demands that transgenders should get all benefits of SCs, STs and OBCs.

Participating in the discussion, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ajay Mishra said the government should take steps to protect the interest of transgenders, who faced discrimination on many fronts – societal, educational and healthcare.

“We have to protect them from the torture and agony they face in the society. They should be treated equally. We need to do something so that they live a respectful life,” he said. Mishra added the Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha had several shortcomings and “I am not in favour of passage of the bill here”.

Saugata Roy (TMC) said “transgenders should be treated with sympathy and compassion. They have been deprived of their rights. So it is very essential to move forward with this Bill. They are forced to live in slums and beg for their livelihood.”