Lok Sabha Question No. 3556 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Welfare of Transgenders
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Alok Sharma

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3556 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2024

## WELFARE OF TRANSGENDERS

$3556. SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the total population of transgenders in the country;
- (b) the plans for rehabilitation of transgenders living on begging and results thereof during the last three years;
- (c) the activities being carried out by the Government in collaboration with the Police Administration for the social security of the transgenders and the details thereof;
- (d) the total population of transgenders in Madhya Pradesh, district-wise and the details thereof;
- (e) whether any scheme for providing housing and amenities to transgenders has been implemented by the Government;
- (f the steps taken by the Government to improve the lives of transgenders in the last five years and the results thereof; and
- (g) the major welfare works being done by the Ministry for transgenders, if so, the efforts being made by the Ministry to provide health facilities to transgenders?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

- (a): As per data from census 2011, the total population of 'others' is 4.87 lakh. The category of 'others' would not only include "transgender' but also any person who desires to record sex under the category of 'others'.
- (b): Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) is implementing Support for Marginalized Individual for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme with sub-scheme namely "Central sector scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation for welfare of transgender persons". This scheme covers several comprehensive measures with a focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counseling, skill development, economic linkages, etc.

During last three years, 990 destitute Transgender persons have been rehabilitated through Garima Grehs, Shelter Homes for Transgender Persons and 725 persons were given skill development training. 24,015 Transgender Persons have been issued Identity Certificates through National Portal for Transgender persons. Transgender Welfare Boards have been set up in 19 States/UTs. Transgender Protection Cells have been set up in 12 States/UTs for the security of the Transgender persons.

(c): 12 Transgender Protection Cells have been setup by 12 States/UTs under Director General of Police to monitor cases of offences against transgender persons and to ensure timely registration, investigation and prosecution of such offences."

Department through its autonomous body National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) provides for regular awareness generation and sensitization sessions for police personnel. A total of 85 awareness, capacity building and sensitization programms have been conducted and 4,269 police officials have been trained in collaboration with Police Academies/police colleges/agencies etc.

(d): As per census 2011, total population of 'others' in the state of Madhya Pradesh is 29,597.

(e) to (g): Department has set up 18 Garima Grehs, shelter homes for destitute transgender persons in 15 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal (2) and Maharashtra (3). The main aim of Garima Greh is to provide shelter to transgender persons with basic amenities like food, medical care, and recreational facilities. Besides, it will provide support for the capacity-building/skill development of Transgender persons. Steps taken to improve the lives of transgenders persons and major welfare works being done by the Department and the results thereof is at Annexure.

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## Annexure as referred to in reply to part (e) to (g) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No 3556 due for answer on 17.12.2024

Steps taken and major welfare works being done by the Department to improve the lives of transgender persons and the results thereof are as under:

- i. "The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019" has been enacted. The Act provides a clear definition of Transgender persons and recognizes a person's to right to self-perceived gender identity. It mandated the formulation of welfare schemes and programmes that are transgender sensitive and non-stigmatizing, ensuring their dignified and respectable place in the society, along with provisions for non-discrimination in educational institutions and employment, providing healthcare services and several welfare measures. The Department has enacted "The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights), Rules, 2020" for implementation of the provisions of the Act.
- ii. A National Council for Transgender Persons was set up to advise the Central Government on the formulation of policies and legislation with respect to Transgender persons, monitor and evaluate the impact of policies designed for achieving equality and full participation, review and coordinate the activities of all the Departments of the Government and non-Governmental organisations.
- iii. A scheme, Support for Marginalized Individual for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) with sub-component "Central sector scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation for welfare of transgender persons" is being implemented. This scheme has various components for welfare of transgender persons namely Skill Development and Livelihood, Composite Medical Health, Safe shelters in the form of Garima Grehs, National Portal for Transgender persons through which Transgender certificates are issued, Provision of Transgender Protection Cell and other welfare measures.
- iv. MoU with National Health Authority (NHA) for convergence with Ayushman Bharat scheme of NHA has been done for providing health facilities under PMJAY scheme to Transgender persons.
5. Department has set up 18 Garima Grehs, shelter homes for destitute transgender persons in 15 States namely Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal (2) and Maharashtra (3).
6. National Portal for Transgender Persons has been launched to issue Transgender certificates and ID cards to eligible Transgender persons. This is an end to end online process where the applicant can apply for the TG certificate and also download the certificate after issue without any requirement to go to any office of issue. This portal has more than 62 Lakh visitors and as of now, 24,015 certificates have been issued.
- vii. So far, 12 Transgender Protection Cells are setup by States/UTs of Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Andaman & Nicobar, Sikkim, Punjab, Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.

- vili. As of now 19 Transgender Welfare Boards (TWB) have been setup by States/UTs of Rajasthan, Mizoram, Chandigarh, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, Maharashtra, Kerala, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar.
- ix. Department has issued "Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons" to ensure that the Transgender community has equal access to employment opportunities etc.
- x. Skill development training to transgender persons is being provided through various Sectoral Skill Councils etc. and training provided to 725 members till now.
- xii. Department through its autonomous body National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) conducts for regular awareness generation and sensitization sessions for Transgender Persons and other stakeholders.
- xi. Timely advisories have been issued to all Union Ministries and States/UTs for designating Grievance Redressal Officer, for non-discrimination of transgender persons and providing option of "Transgender" along with options of male and female wherever any gender related information is collected. On request of this Department, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) has included dedicated toilets for transgender persons in their policy guidelines.

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