The government of Rajasthan has decided to set up a welfare fund, among the first such in India, dedicated towards the upliftment of the transgender community. The government has made a sum of ₹8.82 crores as an annual allocation for the fund. Also, the state government has made provision of financial assistance for a sex change or a gender reassignment surgery, under which ₹2.5 lakh is set to be provided to the applicant to enable them to own up to their true personalities.
In 2016, Rajasthan constituted a Transgender Welfare Board with three members from the community, with the chairman being the Social Justice Department Minister. As per the census 2011, the transgender population in Rajasthan was 16,500. Now it is expected to be somewhere around 75,000. In February this year, Reiterating an earlier Supreme Court judgment, the Rajasthan High Court had directed the Government to bring in reservations for transgenders in Government jobs.
This welfare fund was part of the 2021-22 budget announcements. Officials said that these funds would be utilised for the financial and social upliftment of the community and bring its members to the mainstream.
Rajasthan is the first state in the country with a separate development fund for the community. The transgender development fund would focus on education, awareness, skills, and infrastructure like setting up community halls. The guidelines of the welfare fund state that the money allocated will be utilized for ensuring financial assistance, housing, medical facilities, education, and employment to the transgender community. For self-employment and skill development, the transgender community between 21 and 50 years of age will be given a 25% cost or a maximum of ₹50,000.
The state government has decided to organize festivals and other competitions at various levels on National Transgender Day held on November 20 each year. Some land will also be allocated for these communities to set up old age homes and community halls for the marginalized community. Camps will also be organised to make identity cards for people of the segment.
Other Indian states have also made provisions for the welfare of the transgender community. Tamil Nadu handed over ₹4000 as financial aid to transgender people in light of the Covid pandemic to start small businesses. At the same time, Karala also gave financial assistance for sex realignment surgeries for the community members.
This initiative made by the government is a remarkable one and will help the transgender community get the acknowledgement and the power they deserve for their talent and capability, helping their upliftment and much-delayed independence in new India.
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