BHUBANESWAR: A decade after the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) legally recognised transgenders and upheld their fundamental rights, the community in Odisha continues to face roadblocks in getting access to government benefits.
According to the reports of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Odisha is the fourth state with the highest number of transgender (TG) certificates issued after Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. But when it comes to the overall numbers, only 2,493 transgenders from the state have received the TG certificates and ID cards.
While there is no official data on the current number of transgenders in Odisha, the 2011 census had put their population at 20,332 in the state. The Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department admits that their number must be much higher.
Sources said at least 2,647 transgenders had applied for the TG identity certificate in the state and 154 applications are pending. The transgender identity certificate is essential as it provides the person a formal recognition and legal rights.
Activists said though the process of application for these certificates has been simplified and made online by the Centre through its SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise) portal, not many are coming forward to file their applications due to lack of awareness and fear of family and social rejection.
While the process is online, district authorities are required to issue the transgender certificate and ID card within 30 days of receiving the application. But that is not the case on the ground.
Sadhna, a member of the National Council for Transgender Persons (NCTP) under Government of India, said while the transgender population in the Twin City may come forward to obtain these certificates, those in rural parts of the state aren’t even aware about it. “It is the responsibility of the district and block-level social welfare officials to create awareness among third-genders about the importance of the TG certificate and ID card, but that is not happening,” said Sadhna.
The NCTP member further that there is still no clear picture on the number of transgenders in the state and how many of them have the basic Aadhaar card. “This is why this population is largely out of the government’s social security ambit, be it health insurance or scholarship for education. Most of them are less educated.”
While SSEPD Minister Nityananda Gond could not be contacted, a senior official said the department had conducted a state-wide survey on transgender persons, results of which are yet to come.