Transgenders above 18 years to get Rs 1,500 pension in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: Transgenders above the age of 18 years will now receive a monthly pension of Rs 1500 in Andhra Pradesh. 

Approving a special scheme for transgenders in the state, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh Cabinet decided to adopt the policy on Saturday.

The state has nearly 26,000 transgenders.

The new scheme can be claimed online.

Under the policy, transgenders will also be provided skill development for financial stability, along with ration cards, plots and scholarships.

To support them, the state will also give them loans through banks to start small businesses. Moreover, special toilets will be built in public places such as malls and cinema halls. Subsidized bus passes and health care through Arogyasri scheme will also be provided.

The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Naidu. Information and Public Relations (I-PR) Minister Kaluva Srinivasulu and Municipal Administration minister P Narayana also attended the meet.

After Kerala and Odisha, Andhra Pradesh is the third state to sanction a pension scheme for the transgender community.

The cabinet has also taken a final decision on Assembly building designs. It has given a nod to the Tower design for assembly building.

The cabinet also gave a nod to amending the Police Act in connection with the Director General of Police (DGP) appointment. It has decided to issue an ordinance in this regard that enables the state government to have power to appoint the DGP on its own. The cabinet also decided to bring a fully fledged Police Act.

A Chandranna pelli kanuka (marriage gift) scheme will also be launched in February 2018, under which the Backward Classes will receive Rs 30,000/-, the Schedule Castes and The Schedule Tribes Rs 50,000/- as gift at the time of marriage. Almost 40,000 people will be benefitted from this scheme in 2018. 

With ANI inputs