A bill giving rights to transgenders will be tabled during the next session of Parliament, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot said today.
Stating that a special committee has discussed several matters pertaining to the issue, Gehlot said the legislative department has been requested to draft a bill for Rights of Transgender Persons.
"We have proposed bringing an Act for welfare of transgenders. A special committee constituted for looking into this issue, has completed four meetings in which several matters were discussed. We will be introducing a bill for Transgenders in the upcoming monsoon session," Gehlot said addressing a press conference highlighting his ministry's achievements in the last one year.
Noting that the Centre has filed a review petition seeking clarifications on the Supreme Court order on creating third category for transgenders, he said a private member bill, which was passed in Rajya Sabha, would be taken up for discussion in Lok Sabha in the upcoming Parliament session.
After 36 years, a private member bill seeking to protect the rights of transgenders was passed despite government's initial resistance in the Rajya Sabha in April.
The "Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2014", moved by Tiruchi Siva (DMK), was passed by a voice vote.
The government had tried to persuade him to withdraw it, promising that a comprehensive legislation would be brought in its place.
Gehlot had then said that there were certain difficulties and various Ministries needed to be consulted and more coordination was required.
A policy would be brought to ensure transgenders get benefits akin to reserved communities like SC/STs, in education and jobs, besides protection from sexual harassment, he had said, while also stating that the Centre had asked states to bring third gender option in all documents.
