Rajya Sabha passes historic bill for welfare of transgenders

In a historic move, a private members bill moved by DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva on Friday seeking welfare of transgenders was passed unanimously in Rajya Sabha.

Initially, minister of social justice Thawar Chand Gehlot appeared reluctant to accept the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014. Gehlot assured Shiva that his ministry will bring out a Bill on similar lines.

However, Shiva pressed for division seeking voting on the bill. At this point, finance minister Arun Jaitley, who is also leader of the house, said it would not be proper for the House to be divided on this issue and sought a voice vote instead.

The Bill was passed by voice vote in the presence of 19 Union ministers, including eight cabinet ministers and former PM Manmohan Singh. Now, the bill will be sent to Lok Sabha where the government’s support will be essential for it to be cleared.

“As per government figures, there are only 4.5 lakh transgenders but the groups working them have told me that there are nearly 20-25 lakh living in oblivion,” Shiva said. When asked if he is hopeful about the Bill’s future, he said, “One has to be optimistic.”


WHAT DOES IT PROMISE?

♦ No one shall be deprived of his personal liberty only on the ground of being a transgender

♦ No child who is a transgender shall be separated from his or her parents on grounds of being a transgender except by an order of a competent court, if required, in the best interest of the child

♦ 2% reservation in government jobs and special incentives to private firms to hire more transgenders

♦ Pension, unemployment allowance

♦ A National Commission for Transgender Persons to protect their rights