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Soon, Delhi govt welfare scheme forms to have a ‘third gender’ option

The initiative is aimed at ensuring that Divyang (differently abled) transgender individuals can avail full benefits of these schemes

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta (Express Photo)

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Soon, a “third gender” option will be included in application forms of all government welfare schemes, the Delhi Government announced Friday.

The decision has been taken under a directive from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and was announced after a delegation of transgender representatives met Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh on the occasion of National Transgender Day. The initiative is aimed at ensuring that Divyang (differently abled) transgender individuals can avail full benefits of these schemes.

“The government would undertake efforts to raise public awareness about transgender rights, their social inclusion, and the available welfare schemes,” Indraj said. A notification regarding the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules will also be issued.

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“The Social Welfare Minister informed the delegation about various government schemes aimed at enabling transgender individuals to live with dignity and become self-reliant,” Indraj’s office said in a statement.

The delegation included representatives from the Lucky Hindustani Foundation and the Community Empowerment Trust; Simran Arora, who has formerly served as the first transgender consultant for the Government of India; Trans rights activist Dr Sanajan Simone; Saransh Pathak, among others.

During the meeting, the delegation also celebrated Transgender Day by cutting a cake with the Minister. “They expressed happiness, stating that for the first time, a government has shown serious concern for their rights and self-reliance and directly engaged with them to share information on government schemes,” the minister’s office stated.

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