Bill on transgender rights to be introduced in Lok Sabha

The NDA government is going to introduce a bill this monsoon season to protect the interest of the transgenders.

The bill titled Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill seeks to bring gender equality among the three genders. The bill would be tabled in the Lok Sabha next week.

The union cabinet approved the bill for transgenders along with a bill on Benami transactions recently.

The bill seeks empowerment of transgenders and attempts to mitigate stigma and discrimination attached to transgender. The transgenders remain marginalised and abused in the society.

The bill also allows stringent punishment against those who abuse members of the third gender. The bill also proposes to grant Backward Class statues to those who do not fall under SC/ ST category. Such a move will help in the emancipation of the third gender.

The bill, a private member’s bill, was submitted by Tamil Nadu Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva. The bill is also historic as it got the approval of Rajya Sabha, a first in past 45 years.

As per 2011 census, 6 lakhs people are registered as transgender.

Last Updated Mar 31, 2018, 6:53 PM IST