Thiruvananthapuram: As part of a progressive measure aimed at empowering the transgender community in the state, the government of Kerala on Monday announced a significant increment in the allowance provided to transgender beings for undergoing sex-change surgeries and a sum of 50 lakh has been particularly sanctioned for the same.
Vijayan-led Kerala government expanded the financial grant supplied to trans people from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh who want to undergo sex reassignment surgeries to become males while settling Rs 2.50 lakh for those from the community who want to become females.
“For those who want to undergo surgery to become males, a maximum of Rs 2 lakh was given. But due to the number of surgeries and mounting expenses involved, this amount has now been increased to Rs 5 lakh. Likewise, those who want to undergo corrective surgery to become females, the amount has been fixed at Rs 2.50 lakh,” said the state health minister KK Shailaja.
Right from the day, the honourable Supreme Court of India recognized a “third gender,” Kerala, the most literate Indian state, has been one of the guiding lights for the country vouching for transgender issues. From establishing India’s first transgender school to opening a gender park, Kerala is spearheading the expedition to promote gender equality and rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite the climactic progress of the transgender movement, transgenders still stand marginalized and oppressed on social and economic grounds whilst suffering constant threat to health and safety. Efforts in such wise by Kerala Government will hopefully wind down some of the community’s problems.
