Transgenders’ Bill to be tabled in Monsoon session

Talking about the government’s stand on the issue, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister <g data-gr-id="32">Thaawar</g> Chand Gehlot said: “We are working on an umbrella scheme for the educational, economic and social empowerment of the transgender community, which will be soon sent to the Cabinet for approval. The aim of the new policy is to address their issues in <g data-gr-id="29">better</g> way.”

The Minister added: “As a private members Bill on protecting and providing rights for transgenders has been passed in the Rajya Sabha, a new Bill on their rights would be introduced in Parliament in the coming Monsoon session.”

“Apart from this, two bills on the rights of disabled people and atrocities on Dalits would also be taken up soon,” Gehlot said at addressing a press conference highlighting his Ministry’s achievements in the last one year.

He added: “A committee, formed under the chairmanship of a senior official to conduct an in-depth study on the problems faced by transgenders, submitted its report on January 27 last year. An inter-ministerial committee has been constituted for the implementation of its recommendations.”

Talking about the steps taken by the NDA government to put a check on begging, Gehlot said: “The Ministry had formulated a draft Bill to check begging. The Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill of 2015 was sent to state governments on April 17 for their comments. We are waiting for their suggestions in this regard.”

Gehlot added, “The Ministry has asked states to provide the exact number of beggars present in their regions and on the basis of that Centre will initiate a process to rehabilitate them. The plan is to provide identity cards to beggars, which will help put a check on the trafficking of children involved in begging.”