Telangana CM Suggests Appointing Transgenders as Corporators in Civic Bodies
Reddy emphasized the need for transgender representation in legislative bodies, suggesting that nominating them as corporators in every corporation could empower them to voice their concerns and issues in local governance.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday mooted the idea of ensuring representation for transgender persons in urban local bodies by nominating one person from the community as a corporator in every municipal corporation in the upcoming civic elections. He suggested that transgender persons be co-opted as members in civic bodies so that they have a platform to voice their concerns and participate in local governance.
Drawing a parallel with the existing practice of co-opting members of minority communities into the zilla parishads and municipalities, the Chief Minister said a similar approach could empower the transgender community and integrate them more meaningfully into democratic processes. He proposed that a decision on this initiative be taken at the next Cabinet meeting.
Referring to the caste survey conducted by the state government, he claimed that the Centre had bowed to pressure and announced a caste census as part of the national census.
He also noted that Telangana had taken progressive steps by providing employment opportunities to transgender persons in the Hyderabad police commissionerate and other government departments.
As part of its plans to protect the rights of senior citizens, Revanth Reddy said that the state government would introduce legislation to deduct 10 to 15 per cent of the salary of government employees who neglect their parents. The deducted amount being directly credited to the parents’ bank accounts. He said the proposal would be brought during the upcoming Budget session.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a programme in Praja Bhavan where he, along with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, distributed assistive devices to persons with disabilities and virtually inaugurated day care centres for senior citizens.
The equipment included retrofitted motorised vehicles, battery-operated tricycles and supportive aids aimed at improving mobility and independence for differently-abled persons. He said the government was committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities led lives of dignity and self-respect.
Paying tribute to former Union minister S. Jaipal Reddy, Revanth Reddy said he was an inspiration for persons with disabilities, having excelled in public life despite physical challenges. He urged beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunities provided by the government and move forward with self-confidence, stressing that the aim was to create an inclusive society where everyone could grow with dignity and equal opportunity.
Revanth Reddy announced that the government had allocated `50 crore for the distribution of assistive devices. Opportunities were being ensured for them in education and employment by implementing reservation quotas, and added that the government had decided to provide `2 lakh as financial assistance for the marriage of persons with disabilities. Differently-abled athletes were being encouraged, citing the example of a girl who won at the Paralympics and was provided with a government job.
Revanth Reddy stated that the government’s day-care centres for senior citizens being established under the ‘Pranam’ programme were being described as the first of their kind in the country. These centres aim to provide care, companionship and support to elderly persons. He added that the government would announce a comprehensive health policy in the budget session to ensure access to medical treatment for all citizens.
