BHUBANESWAR -- Odisha government today decided to accord BPL (below poverty line) status to transgenders in the state.
"The state government has decided to accord BPL status to the transgender persons and they will get all benefits availed by the poor," Women and Child Development Minister Usha Devi told reporters.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the performance of the department, asked it to cover other social security schemes for the transgenders.
![naveen patnaik]()
(File photo of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik)
All Odisha Eunuch and Transgender Association welcomed the state government's decision. "We are happy that the Odisha government is the first in the country to accord BPL status to transgenders," said association president Pratap Sahu.
Sahu said 22,000 transgender persons will be benefitted by the government's decision.
This apart, the state government has also decided to cover transgenders under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Under NFSA, a beneficiary is entitled to receive five kilos of food grains per month under the targeted PDS system.
Five sub-schemes launched by the central government for the benefit of transgender population are being implemented by the state government through its newly-created Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
"The state government has decided to accord BPL status to the transgender persons and they will get all benefits availed by the poor," Women and Child Development Minister Usha Devi told reporters.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the performance of the department, asked it to cover other social security schemes for the transgenders.
(File photo of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik)
All Odisha Eunuch and Transgender Association welcomed the state government's decision. "We are happy that the Odisha government is the first in the country to accord BPL status to transgenders," said association president Pratap Sahu.
Sahu said 22,000 transgender persons will be benefitted by the government's decision.
"We are happy that the Odisha government is the first in the country to accord BPL status to transgenders."
This apart, the state government has also decided to cover transgenders under National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Under NFSA, a beneficiary is entitled to receive five kilos of food grains per month under the targeted PDS system.
Five sub-schemes launched by the central government for the benefit of transgender population are being implemented by the state government through its newly-created Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
ALSO READ: Lord Of The Rings Actor Sir Ian McKellen Slams India's Anti-Homosexuality Laws
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.