The proposed new law aims to check against discrimination in jobs, education, health services and welfare schemes.
Highlights
- Transgender people to be included in Other Backward Castes (OBC) category
- Proposed new law aims to prevent discrimination in jobs, education
- Top court had asked Centre to give them voter ID, passport & license
Transgender persons will soon access government benefits, for which they will be included in the category of OBC or Other Backward Castes.
This is part of a big move to bring the third gender under the country's laws. The government has circulated a cabinet note on a new law among ministers.
There is no law for transgenders in India. In 2014, the Supreme Court acknowledged a "third gender" that is neither male nor female and asked the government to make sure that they get facilities including a voter card, passport and driving licence.
The Centre was asked to treat transgenders as "socially and economically backward" so they could get quota in jobs and education.
The proposed new law aims to check against discrimination in jobs, education, health services and welfare schemes. Transgenders will also have the right to property and cannot be separated from their families.
Those who hurt or offend them will face criminal charges under the proposed law.
The government had promised legislation last year after DMK lawmaker Tiruchi Siva's bill for recognition to transgender persons was passed in the Rajya Sabha; it was the first time in 45 years that a private member's bill was passed by the house.
In 2013, the Election Commission issued voters' cards for the first time.