Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday proposed nominating a transgender person as a co-option member in every municipal corporation in Telangana, beginning with corporations likely to go to polls in Feb, to ensure their direct representation in civic bodies.
Addressing a welfare programme at Praja Bhavan for children, senior citizens and specially challenged persons, the CM said the proposal would be placed before the cabinet shortly. Drawing parallels with the existing practice of co-opting minorities in local bodies, he said transgender persons too deserve institutional representation to raise community issues independently.
Revanth also announced Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to specially challenged persons who marry within the community, adding that the benefit would be extended even if a non-disabled person marries a specially challenged individual.
The CM said the state govt would unveil a comprehensive health policy in the upcoming budget session to ensure access to medical treatment for every citizen. Noting that rising healthcare costs are forcing families to sell assets, he said the Assembly would deliberate in detail on expanding state-supported medical care.
Another key announcement was a proposed Bill to cut 10–15% of the salaries of govy employees who neglect their parents, with the deducted amount credited directly to the parents’ accounts after verification by revenue officials. The govt is also setting up senior citizen day-care centres, ‘Pranaam’, across the state.
Revanth reiterated strict implementation of reservations for specially challenged persons in jobs and education, citing the appointment of a Paralympics medallist to a Group-II cadre post as an example of the government’s commitment to dignity and self-respect.
The programme was attended by deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka and ministers Adluri Laxman and D Anasuya Seethakka. Reaffirming Telangana’s social justice agenda, Revanth said the Centre was adopting the state’s caste survey model for a nationwide caste census.
Courtesy : TOI
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