KOCHI: Presenting the first budget of the Pinarayi Vijayan government in the Assembly on Friday, finance minister
TM Thomas Isaac announced that a pension scheme would be introduced for transgenders above 60 years of age from this year.
"The LDF government is committed to protect the rights of all, including those in the transgender community. We will introduce pension for transgenders above 60 years of age," the minister said, which was greeted with applause by legislative members.
TOI had been carrying a series of news reports on the plight of transgenders in Kerala, who are forced to undertake sex work for livelihood. Following the reports, the Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) authorities came forward offering jobs to transgender persons in housekeeping, customer care and crowd management sections earlier this week.
Though the minister did not mention the pension amount, the move itself would bring a sigh of relief for the 25,000-member transgender community in the state who are denied proper job and rehabilitation till date.
Kerala became the first state in the country to bring out a Transgender Policy. However, it hadn't announced any financial assistance to the marginalized section till date.
At the same time, a major demand by the transgender community in the state - to offer free sex reassessment surgery (SRS) to align their biological sex with their gender identity in order to become male or female, did not find place in the budget.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.Shyam P V is a senior correspondent with The Times of India, Thir...
Read MoreShyam P V is a senior correspondent with The Times of India, Thiruvananthapuram bureau. He started his career with DNA in Mumbai in 2006 and moved on to MIT Technology Review in Mumbai. He has also worked with The New Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle. Shyam covers the beats of Tranport, Railways and Real Estate.
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