LDF government announces pension to transgenders   

Thiruvananthapuram, July 8: Transgenders above 60 in Kerala are set to get monthly pension. The CPI(M)-led LDF government today announced the measure in its budget.

State Finance Minister T M Thomas Issac made the proposal in the budget for 2016-17 presented in the assembly as part of brining the marginalised to the forefront of the soceity but did not specify the quantum of the pension.

"The budget proposes to introduce pension to transgenders who have attained 60 years of age," he said adding the cry for justice for the minority in Kerala society was getting more recognition.

"This budget wishes to express solidarity with the people in the third gender group," he said adding government would provide financial assistance to transgender students. The budget proposed to increase all welfare pensions to Rs 1,000.

Government would extend financial assistance to NGO's which work among the transgender community. An amount of Rs.10 crore has been set apart for this purpose, he said.

Issac also recalled the recent decision to provide jobs reservation for transgenders in the Kochi metro rail project. The budget proposed to set up a separate department to coordinate government schemes for the welfare of women and to carry out gender audit with an allocation of Rs 10 crore.

The budget also proposed to set apart Rs.200 crores for 'kudumbashree', the women self-help group set up as part of the state's ambitious poverty eradication programme.

PTI