Cabinet green signals Bill to safeguard Transgenders; provisions to include reservation in jobs and educational institutions

Delhi, July 21: The government on Wednesday cleared a landmark bill which aims to protect and empower transgenders. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016 provides them the cover of the OBC status and assures them of reservations in educational institutions and jobs.

The legislation details stringent action against those found guilty of atrocities against the community.  Imprisonment from six months to two years, along with a penalty are some of the punitive actions suggested for people found guilty of forcing transgender people to beg, harming their emotional or physical wellbeing, denying them access to a public place , etc.

The bill paves the way for transgenders to choose to identify themselves as ‘male’, ‘female’ or ‘transgender’.

“Through this bill, the government has evolved a mechanism for their social, economic and educational empowerment. The bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalised section and bring them into the mainstream of society,” an official statement said.