Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi announced at a function that the state government will provide financial aid of Rs 1.5 Lakhs to transgender people who undergo sex reassignment surgery (SRS). Additionally, he also announced that the government has set up a Kinnar Kalyan Board (Transgender Welfare Board).
Mr. Modi was speaking at a Kinnar Mahotsav that was organised in the state and which he inaugurated. He also mentioned that if transgender people are discriminated against, the violators will be punished with 6 months to 2 years of imprisonment, probably referring to the Transgender Rights Bill that the NDA Govt at the centre is set to reintroduce. The Transgender Welfare Board that has been constituted will also look into what kind of facilities are being provided to trans people in other states, and will try to provide the same to the community in Bihar.
सेक्स बदलने पर मिलेगी डेढ़ लाख की सहायता… pic.twitter.com/cgnB9O03ur
— Sushil Kumar Modi (@SushilModi) July 15, 2019
While Mr. Modi was the Chief Guest and inaugurated the Mahotsav, a lot many government ministers and officials too attended the festival, including Bihar’s Culture Minister and Minister of Commerce and Industry.
Details regarding how the aid will be distributed have not been shared by the minister or government yet.