In a first, AP govt issues I-cards to transgenders for social empowerment

Srikakulam : For the first time, identity cards were distributed to the transgender community in Srikakulam in a bid to ensure their economic and social empowerment.

A simple function was organized at Srikakulam in which district collector J Niwas distributed the cards. Their applications were uploaded by a voluntary organization` Bejjipuram Youth Club'.

Addressing the people, Niwas said transgenders were entitled to all the rights and benefits under the Indian Constitution. He said due to the imbalance of hormones these persons were identifying themselves under a different category but that should not prevent them from enjoying equal rights in society. "Some people who have achieved big in society were not hesitating to identify themselves under this category," he said.

The collector assured that they would get house sites and other benefits on par with other deprived classes in the society. Under Jagananna Thodu, the transgenders would get small shops to eke out a decent living. He cautioned them not to sell away their house sites and other benefits to others.

Advising them to form groups to get the benefits, the collector asked them to approach ward and village secretariats to get the schemes.

Bejjipuram Youth Club president M Prasada Rao said 93 transgenders had registered their names and all of them have got identity cards. He said they have been getting the monthly pension as well.