Government proposes national policy for transgenders

A committee has been formed to study problems faced by transgender community

New Delhi

: To improve condition of transgenders, the government has proposed a national policy that will consider recommendations made by the expert committee especially formed for the community, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla said in a written reply that an expert committee was constituted in the ministry to carry out in-depth study of the problems faced by the transgender community and suggest suitable measures to ameliorate their problems.

The recommendations of the committee have since been forwarded to the state governments and concerned Union ministries and departments for "taking appropriate action".

The proposed policy, he said, will consider the recommendations of the expert committee. Responding to another question on senior citizens, he said the government has "no authentic data" regarding senior citizens living in destitution.

"The government is aware that some of elderly people are living in pathetic condition due to constant neglect by kith and kin. However, no authentic data is available in this regard," he said in a written reply.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 makes maintenance of parents/senior citizens by their children or relatives obligatory and justiciable through tribunals.

He said the Home Ministry has issued two detailed advisories in 2008 and 2013 to all state governments advising them to take immediate measures to ensure safety and for elimination of all forms of neglect, abuse and violence against old persons through various initiatives.