Lucknow: Acting on a report that states transgender persons still lack access to basic govt facilities, the state govt will carry out a special drive to provide ration cards to members of the community. The decision, said a govt spokesperson, was taken to ensure food security for one of the most marginalised social groups and to bring them within the ambit of govt welfare schemes.
The department of food and civil supplies has issued directions to all districts based on a report by the UP Transgender Welfare Board, which highlighted that many transgender citizens in the state still lack access to basic govt facilities, including ration cards and permanent employment, due to deep-rooted social inequalities. The department has now directed district supply officers across all districts to identify transgender individuals who do not have ration cards and issue them the document at the earliest, making them eligible for subsidised food grains.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the report and directed officials to prioritise the welfare of the transgender community so that the state can boast of all-inclusive growth. In addition to this, officials have also been instructed to simplify, expedite, and ensure transparency in the ration card issuance process, and to ensure that no eligible individual is excluded. Once verified under the campaign, beneficiaries will be added to the ‘eligible household’ category and covered under existing food security schemes. The department is also carrying out a massive drive to provide ration cards to eligible persons ahead of the launch of the ‘zero poverty’ programme in the state.
“The transgender community, which has often been neglected by society, is now being given equal access to rights and govt services. The CM has consistently reiterated that no citizen, regardless of gender identity, will be left out of the benefits of development,” the official said.
Recently, the govt also announced its plans to provide space to elderly persons from the transgender community at state-run old age homes. This facility will be provided to transgender persons above the age of 60 years. In addition to residential space, these homes will also offer access to essential services such as pensions, Ayushman Bharat health cards, regular health check-ups, food, and mental health counselling. The govt has also set up Transgender Protection Cells in every district to address their grievances.
So far, the state govt has issued identity cards to 1,067 transgender persons and provided access to govt schemes. Additionally, 248 transgender students were awarded scholarships
Lucknow: Acting on a report that states transgender persons still lack access to basic govt facilities, the state govt will carry out a special drive to provide ration cards to members of the community. The decision, said a govt spokesperson, was taken to ensure food security for one of the most marginalised social groups and to bring them within the ambit of govt welfare schemes.
The department of food and civil supplies has issued directions to all districts based on a report by the UP Transgender Welfare Board, which highlighted that many transgender citizens in the state still lack access to basic govt facilities, including ration cards and permanent employment, due to deep-rooted social inequalities. The department has now directed district supply officers across all districts to identify transgender individuals who do not have ration cards and issue them the document at the earliest, making them eligible for subsidised food grains.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the report and directed officials to prioritise the welfare of the transgender community so that the state can boast of all-inclusive growth. In addition to this, officials have also been instructed to simplify, expedite, and ensure transparency in the ration card issuance process, and to ensure that no eligible individual is excluded. Once verified under the campaign, beneficiaries will be added to the ‘eligible household’ category and covered under existing food security schemes. The department is also carrying out a massive drive to provide ration cards to eligible persons ahead of the launch of the ‘zero poverty’ programme in the state.
“The transgender community, which has often been neglected by society, is now being given equal access to rights and govt services. The CM has consistently reiterated that no citizen, regardless of gender identity, will be left out of the benefits of development,” the official said.
Recently, the govt also announced its plans to provide space to elderly persons from the transgender community at state-run old age homes. This facility will be provided to transgender persons above the age of 60 years. In addition to residential space, these homes will also offer access to essential services such as pensions, Ayushman Bharat health cards, regular health check-ups, food, and mental health counselling. The govt has also set up Transgender Protection Cells in every district to address their grievances.
So far, the state govt has issued identity cards to 1,067 transgender persons and provided access to govt schemes. Additionally, 248 transgender students were awarded scholarships.
Courtesy: MSN
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