Rs 1500 given as subsistence allowance to 6440 transgenders during lockdown: Social Justice Minister to LS

The Central Government Monday informed Parliament that, through the National Backward Class Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), it had given Rs.1500/- each to Transgender persons, who had applied for immediate subsistence allowance during the lockdown.

It added that an expenditure of Rs. 93.80 lakhs was incurred in supporting 6440 members of the Transgender Community from 28 States, including Rs.89.10 lakhs to 5,950 Transgender persons as subsistence allowance and ration kit of Rs.4.70 lakhs to 500 transgender persons.

The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment was responding to questions from Member of Parliament Amar Patnaik on the steps taken by the Government to address the distress of the Transgender Community hit hard by the pandemic.

The Minister, in his reply, also stated that the NBCFDC was providing free psycho-social support to the transgender community during the pandemic.

A concept note for welfare measures for transgender persons had also been prepared, the Minister said.