Final draft of transgender policy ready

Departments, however, are yet to respond to it

The Karnataka government is ready with the final draft of its policy for transgenders and circulated it to all departments for comments and suggestions.

The policy — perhaps the first of its kind in the country — is expected to be sent to the Cabinet for approval soon after it is vetted by Education, Health and other departments. However, the departments are yet to respond to the draft.

Cell, counselling centre

Among the highlights of the final draft are setting up of a cell for transgenders at the Karnataka State Women’s Development Corporation and transgender support units at the State and district levels. It also says that counselling centres, on the lines of Rape and Crisis Intervention Centre, will be set up for transgenders.

Educational institutions and work places, according to the draft, would have to set up anti-discrimination cells and have sensitisation programme involving community people. Workplace sexual harassment policies have to be transgender-inclusive.

Legal system needs to be strengthened to ensure action against parents who abuse transgender children and to provide aid to those facing discrimination and violence. The police will need to compile data on crimes against transgenders, says the draft policy.

It proposes a health, housing and educational schemes for the welfare of transgenders, including self-employment grant, educational grant, vocational training, provision for health insurance, grant for sex reassignment surgery, opening five shelters exclusively for them, providing BPL ration cards and monthly pension.

The draft was finalised after several rounds of meetings of the 11-member subcommittee that included people of the transgender community. “Once the comments are received from departments, it [the draft] will be examined further for approval by the Minister of our department,” said Amita Prasad, Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development.

‘Disappointed’

“I am disappointed that the departments are yet to respond to the draft. Also, we should have a board for transgenders on the lines of the one in Tamil Nadu rather than a cell,” said Akkai Padmashali, who is part of the subcommittee.