The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday approved a policy that would offer transgenders in the state pensions, ration cards, plots for housing and financial aid to open businesses, the Hindustan Times reported.
Under the policy, the government will provide Rs 1,500 a month to transgender people above 18 years of age as a social security pension. It is only the third state after Kerala and Odisha to provide a pension for transgenders, ANI reported. The scheme is expected to benefit 26,000 transgenders in the state.
The government also plans to build public toilets in malls and cinema halls for transgenders. Subsidised bus passes and education scholarships are among the other benefits under the policy, which was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
“We will now get suggestions on how the policy can be improved,” Information and Public Relations Minister Kalwa Srinivasulu told the Hindustan Times.
This policy for transgenders was first suggested in September. In April, the government had announced the formation of the Andhra Pradesh Hijra Welfare Board to take care of the transgender community’s welfare.
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