Transgenders deprived of government schemes in Jamugurihat

A CORRESPONDENT

JAMUGURIHAT: A group of the transgender community of Assam visited the National Human Rights and Crime Control Bureau (NHRCCB), Assam State Office in Tinsukia and met the State president of the organization Nishant Thard on Friday. The representatives of the third genders expressed remorse that despite the progress made in the country, discrimination against the third genders continues. One of the representatives of the transgender community said that despite several attempts, they have not been issued Aadhaar cards. As a result, they are deprived of many government schemes. The four-member delegation sought the assistance of the National Human Rights and Crime Control Bureau of Assam in this regard.

They are also aware of their plight and sought assistance from NHRCCB; Assam. Mrinmay Kumar Nath, the state media officer of the organization residing at Jamugurihat said in a statement sent to this newspaper that the concerned departments would be contacted soon.

The state president of NHRCCB said it was unfortunate that the Ministry of Social Justice and Rights of the Government of India is running a project called ‘SMILE’ (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise’ (Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons) for the third gender with the aim of rehabilitating them. The NHRCCB will contact the departmental ministries of the Central Government immediately after completing the field observation on the matter, the state president stated. He also revealed that without any basic facilities, the third genders have been doing various works including taking care of many children with their own income and at the same time making arrangements for the education of children in schools.