The transgender persons face several issues of discrimination, exclusion from the families, absence of dignified livelihoods, inadequate access to health, shelter, welfare and employment.

In order to address these issues, the Government has enacted “The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019” and issued the the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules 2020. They address the issues of provision of identity, protection of rights against discrimination and provision of welfare measures by the State and Central Governments.

National Council for Transgender Persons was constituted in August 2020 to advise Government on policies, programmes, legislation and projects with respect to Transgender Persons.

Ministry also launched National Portal for Transgender Persons on 25th November, 2020. Through this portal any Transgender applicant can obtain Certificate of Identity and Identity Card without any physical interface with the office of issue.The Transgender applicant can apply for the Certificate of Identity from anywhere in the Country and application automatically goes to the inbox of the competent authority of issue. On issue of the certificate, the same can be downloaded by the applicant directly.

Ministry has initiated 12 pilot shelter homes and provided financial assistance to community based organizations (CBOs) for setting up of these shelter homes 'Garima Greh' for Transgender persons. These pilot shelter homes are in States of Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha. The main aim of these shelter homes is to provide safe and secure shelter to Transgender persons in need. These shelter homes would provide basic amenities like food, medical care, recreational facilities and also conduct capacity-building/ skill development programmes for Transgender persons.

This information was given by The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri. A. Narayanaswamy in the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today.

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MG/IA

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