(a) whether the Government has formulated/is implementing any policy or schemes for
the welfare, including education and employment opportunities for transgenders and
if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps being taken to sensitise the management and the teachers of both private
and Government schools towards the problems faced by transgenders; and
(c) the comprehensive measures being taken by the Government to provide education and
employment and ensure equity for transgenders in the country?
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ANSWER
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MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI THAWAAR CHAND GEHLOT)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement in reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 390 for answer on 21-04.2015 by
Shrimati Kirron Kher and Shri Maheish Girri on Welfare of Transgenders
(a): An Expert Committee was constituted was constituted in the Ministry to make an
in-depth study of the problems being faced by the Transgender Community and suggest
suitable measures to ameliorate their problems. The Committee submitted its report
on 27th January, 2014. The Government has, in principle, accepted the recommendations
of the Expert Committee. The recommendations, inter-alia, include formulation of an
Umbrella Scheme for socio-economic and educational empowerment of the community, equal
access to educational opportunities at all levels without stigma and discrimination,
sensitization towards transgender community to be integral part of student counselling
at Schools, establishment of anti discrimination cell in all the educational institutions
/universities, participation of transgender children in activities organized at Schools,
intensive publicity campaigns etc. The recommendations of the Expert Committee have been
forwarded to all the State Governments/UT Administrations and the concerned Central
Ministries/Departments for taking appropriate action.
On 15th April, 2014, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in a Writ Petition filed by National
Legal Services Authority (NLSA) has delivered its judgment on the issues of Transgender
persons, directing the Central and State Governments to take various steps for the
welfare of transgender community. It has also directed to examine the recommendations
of the Expert Committee based on the legal declaration made in the above judgment and
implement them. An Inter Ministerial Committee has been constituted to purse
implementation of the Expert Committee’s recommendations. Till date, four meeting of
the Inter Ministerial Committee have been held.
The Ministry is formulating an Umbrella Scheme for Transgender Persons which includes
pre-matric and post-matric scholarship to transgender students, training for their
skilled development, assistance to parents of transgender children, and pension to
transgender persons between 40 and 60 year of age who for some reasons could not be
assisted under any scheme of the Government. As four of the five components of the
proposed Umbrella Scheme are centrally sponsored, the comments of the State Governments
/UT Administrations have been sought.
The Ministry has also taken a decision to formulate a National Policy on Transgender
persons.
(b) & (c) The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource
Development have written to all the State Education Secretaries to consider and take
actin as per the judgment dated 15th April, 2014 of Hon’ble Supreme Court and the
recommendations of the Expert Committee.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has advised Principal Secretaries and the Directors
/Commissioners of all States/UTs to give training to transgender persons on Modular
Employable Skills modules through Vocational Training Providers (VTPs) registered under
Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme. The Self/wage employment oriented courses
shall be conducted under SDI Scheme to enhance their employment potential and increase
their chances to earn decent livelihood as well as their status in the society.
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