Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014 - Features

Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014 - Features

Question - Equal opportunities for transgender persons is a critical component of good governance. Discuss the features of the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014 which was recently passed unanimously by the RS.

Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2014

• This is a private member’s bill protecting rights of transgenders

• It was passed by the RS on 25th April 2015 and guarantees reservation in education and jobs, financial aid and social inclusion

• This is the first time in 45 years that private members’ Bill was passed by the House

• Bill promises welfare board and job quotas apart from providing rights for transgenders

• The bill was proposed by DMK member Tiruchi Siva

• The bill has 58 clauses in 10 chapters with differing aspects such as:

- Social inclusion,
- Rights and entitlements,
- Financial and legal aid,
- Education, Skill development
- Prevention of abuse, violence and exploitation
- Need for a national commission for transgender persons with statutory powers on line of national commissions is provided

• Transgenders face discrimination and this bill guards them against it

• Bill provides for creation of welfare boards at Centre and State level for the community

• Transgender Rights Courts will also be provided

• The bill also provides 2 percent reservation in government jobs and prevents discrimination in employment

• Provisions for pensions and unemployment allowances for members of the community was also provided

• The aim is to provide framework for formulation and implementation of detailed national policy for overall development of transgender persons and their welfare

• Two percent reservation in primary, secondary and higher education is also provided for transgender persons

• Establishment of employment exchanges, national and state commissions for transgender persons and special transgender rights courts

• No children who are transgender will be separated from parents on grounds of being transgender except on order of competent court

• Penalty for hate speech against transgender persons include imprisonment up to one year and with fine

• Bill should take steps to ensure transgender persons will enjoy right of life with dignity and personal liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution

Facts and Stats

• 29 nations and leading democracies in the world include US, UK, Canada, France, Australia, Italy and Singapore have legislations in place to protect the rights of transgender persons

• Number of transgenders in the nation is pegged at 4.5 lakh as against actual number of 20 to 25 lakh

• Parliament has passed 14 private members Bills in India as against 17 in Britain and 229 in Canada.