Welfare Board for transgenders

Chennai, Apr 10 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today announced Constitution of a welfare board for transgenders.

An official release said this followed the announcement in this regard in the Governor's address to the state Assembly on January 23 this year.

It said the Social Welfare Minister would be the Chairperson of the Board, while the Social Welfare Board and Noon Meal scheme Special Commissioner would be the vice-chairman.

The government also announced official and non-official members on the Board.

In his budget speech, Governor S S Barnala had said the state government has always been concerned about the welfare of transgenders, who have been shunned by the society and treated like handicapped people.

Recognising the various problems encountered by them, including social acceptance, the state government has been implementing a number of beneficial measures like issue of ration cards and free surgeries in government hospital, the Governor had announced that a separate welfare board would be set up for them as an expression of the government's empathy towards the transgenders.

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