The State Government has decided to provide financial assistance for hostel facilities to the transgender (TG) students and to pursue their economic activities under its Sweekruti scheme.
The Social Security and Empowerment of PwD Department (SSEPD) has moved a step ahead for the security and welfare of transgender persons.
Transgender persons are facing challenges in moving to places for education, training and employment as they don’t have access to existing boys’ and girls’ hostels due to their limitations after acquiring self-perceived gender. They are also not preferred as tenants by house owners.
To overcome this barrier, the Government woul provide assistance for hostel facilities for them. One-time non-recurring grant of Rs 15,000 per inmate at the time of commencement of the hostel for purchase of furniture and furnishings would be provided, said SSEPD Minister Ashok Chandra Panda.
The TG students pursuing education and staying in hostels would be given stipend towards meeting their hostel expenses at Rs 3,000 per month each for the period of their education subject to submission of recommendation of the concerned educational institutions, he said.
The Minister said individual entrepreneurship for generating self-employment-based income including production, marketing, service centres, etc., would be promoted by the registered transgender persons.
Projects not exceeding one-time investment of Rs 10 lakh would be considered. Group endeavour for generating self-employment-based individual income would also be encouraged, he said.
However, the projects must ensure the object of providing individual income to the members of the group while projects not exceeding one-time investment of Rs 20 lakh would be considered.
The Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed by transgender persons would be given one-time assistance of Rs 1.25 lakh for initial activities support and startup capital. The District Social Security Officers would assist the TG people in getting these financial assistance.
Panda said the Government recognises that transgender persons are valuable human resources for the society and seeks to create an environment that provides them with equal opportunities, protection of their rights and meaningful participation in society.
The Sweekruti scheme for the welfare of transgender persons is now strengthened with provision of Government assistance for their hostel facilities and economic activities, he added.