‘State govt. taking steps for the welfare of transgenders’

Akhila lays stone to temple for Naidu proposed by transgenders

The State government is taking steps to ensure the welfare of transgenders in the State, Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya and District Collector S. Satyanarayana said on Friday.

The government sanctioned identity cards, monthly pensions and ration cards and would construct pucca houses and grant loans for self-employment to them, they said at Nandyal. Ms. Akhila Priya, Mr. Satyanarayana, Nandyal MLA Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy and TDP leader Abhiruchi Madhu broke coconuts and performed ‘bhoomi puja’ for a temple for Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu proposed to be built on Mahanandi Road in Nandyal town by Indian National Samatha Hijda Hakkula Aikya Porata Samithi’s honorary founder-president Pidisela Vijay Kumar Ambedkar and members.

Silver statue

The District Collector cut a cake to celebrate the Chief Minister’s birthday. Mr. Vijay Kumar and samithi president Hasini said a silver statue of Mr. Naidu would be installed in the temple in a token of gratitude to the Chief Minister, as he empathised with their plight and extended benefits to the third gender. They thanked TDP leader Abhiruchi Madhu for contributing ₹5 lakh for Mr. Naidu’s silver statue.

No leader has responded positively like Mr. Naidu and hence they would rever him as their God and be indebted to him for ever, Mr. Vijay Kumar and Ms. Hasini said. They recalled that Mr. Naidu responded favourably to their representation during the by-election to Nandyal Assembly constituency and expeditiously took steps to extend them benefits.