Published on: 24 Apr 2015 @ 21:45
AMN —
The Rajya Sabha today unanimously passed a private member’s bill to protect the rights of transgender. The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill- 2014 seeks to provide for the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive national policy for ensuring overall development of the transgender persons and their welfare.
The bill provides two percent reservation in primary, secondary and higher eduction and in government jobs. Establishment of Employment Exchange, National and State Commissions for Trasngender Persons and Special Transgender Rights Courts are other main features of the Bill. No child who is transgender will be separated from his or her parents on the grounds of being a transgender except on an order of competent court.
The government will take necessary steps to ensue that transgender persons enjoy the right to life with dignity and to personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. The Bill provides for penalty for hate speech which includes imprisonment extending upto one year and with fine.
The Bill was moved by DMK MP Tiruchi Shiva was passed unanimously by voice vote. During the debate, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said it would not be proper if the House is divided on this issue as all feel in favour of the rights of transgenders.
The Bill passed with the full strength of the treasury benches, though several opposition members were not present at the time. Moving the bill for passage, Mr. Siva said 29 nations and leading democracies in the world including US, UK, Canada,France, Australia, Italy and Singapore have legislations protecting rights of transgenders.It is the first private members bill to be passed in 46 years. In the past, 14 Private Members’ Bills have been passed. Now, the bill will go to the Lok Sabha for the passage.