Central Govt to offer aid to transgender persons

As lockdown has been imposed in several states, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has decided to provide ₹ 1,500 as assistance to transgender people who have lost their livelihoods.

It has also asked state governments to organize separate mobile vaccination drives or booths for vaccination of people of the community.

Transgender people have also lost their livelihoods due to this infection and have been greatly inconvenienced. They also face great shortages to meet basic food and health needs.

The Ministry reportedly received many distress phone calls and emails from transgender people asking the government to help them. Following this, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which oversees the welfare of transgender people, has decided to provide a cash relief of ₹1,500 each to provide immediate assistance  The statement issued by the Ministry said, “The ministry being the nodal ministry for transgender welfare has decided to provide an amount of ₹1,500 each to transgender persons as immediate support to meet their basic requirements.”

This funding is expected to help transgender people to some extent. The Central government has asked charities and community organizations to spread awareness about this government subsidy among transgender people about COVID appropriate behaviour and hygiene along with awareness about vaccines.

The ministry has also written to principal secretaries of all states to ensure there is no discrimination against transgender people at Covid vaccination centres. They have also been requested to conduct awareness drives to eradicate any vaccine hesitancy.

Transgender people or community organizations on their behalf can apply for this grant by providing basic details like reference number, bank account number etc. in the form at the link below.

https://forms.gle/H3BcREPCy3nG6TpH7

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