Tripura to constitute transgender protection cells in all districts
Jun 12, 2024
Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 12 : The Social Welfare Department of Tripura has requested all the District Magistrates to constitute transgender protection cells that will act as grievance redressal centres for the people belonging to transgender community.
Director of Social Welfare and Social Education Department, Lalfaktlinga Hrangchal said, "We have already formed the state Transgender Welfare Board to look after the welfare and empowerment of transgender community. All the district magistrates have been requested to constitute transgender protection cells at the district level. These cells will look after safety and security-related issues of the people from the LGBTQIA+ community. Apart from that, we have a scheme of 'social pension' for the transgender community. Each of the eligible beneficiaries will get a social pension of Rs 2,000 per month."
According to the Director, as many as 25 transgender cards have been issued and around 50 such cards are in the pipeline.
"The trans community people can submit an online application with a self-declaration affidavit for getting official recognition. The District Magistrate and collector process the application and if required a hearing is called. Later, the cards are issued to the eligible applicants. As per the official records are concerned, till now 25 such cards have been issued and more than 50 such applications are under process," he explained.
He further said that an umbrella scheme of SMILE has been launched by Govt Of India to give benefits to transgender communities.
Stating that the scheme SMILE is providing an umbrella of benefits to the transgender people, he said, "Under the umbrella scheme SMILE, free operation facilities are granted to the transgender people. Applications for that are submitted online. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal department."
The senior official also informed the media persons that Tripura would soon introduce a state policy for transgender people.
"The state policy for transgender people will soon be introduced in the state. The drafting is in its final stage. Once the draft is complete, it will be placed before the State Council of ministers for their approval. Within the next one or two months, the policy is expected to come into effect," he added.
