Our Reporter
Dimapur, May 24 (EMN): The government of India has announced financial assistance of INR 1,500 each to transgender persons as immediate support to meet their basic requirements amid the ongoing Covid-19, stating that members of the transgender community have been critically affected by the pandemic as their livelihood has been severely disrupted.
“The current situation in the country is compelling the marginalised community into extreme distress and acute shortage of basic needs like food and health,” stated the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The ministry informed that members of the transgender community had made distressed calls and sent emails seeking government help and support. “This financial assistance (INR 1,500 per person) will help the transgender community to meet their day-to-day needs. NGOs and community-based Organisations (CBOs) working for transgender persons have been asked to spread awareness about this step,” it stated.
‘Any Transgender Person or CBOs on behalf of the transgender person can apply for financial assistance after providing basic details, Aadhaar and bank account number in a form available on the website of the National Institute of Social Defence ((https://forms.gle/H3BcREPCy3nG6TpH7), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. To ensure that the information about this reaches a maximum number of transgender persons, this form is also being circulated on social media with the help of NGOs and CBOs,’ the report stated.
The ministry has also written a letter to the principal secretaries of all states to ensure that there is no discrimination against the marginalised community in existing Covid centres or vaccination centres.
It has also requested the state to organise separate mobile vaccination booths for vaccination of transgender persons such as those taken up in the states of Haryana and Assam.
The update also stated a free helpline for distressed transgender persons owing to the current pandemic for psychological support has been announced by the ministry as people facing mental health problems do not feel comfortable about seeking help due to the stigma around it.
“Any transgender person can connect with experts on the Helpline Number 8882133897. This helpline will be functional from Monday to Saturday between 11 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm. On this helpline, counselling services will be provided by professional Psychologists for their mental health,” the ministry informed.