JOIN USBengaluru Development Minister K J George on Wednesday promised shelter for transgenders at ‘Jana Mana’, an interaction programme with beneficiaries of welfare schemes of the government, organised by the Department of Information and district administration in the City.
The minister said this while replying to a query raised by a transgender.
“The State government has come up with Anna Bhagya and Maitri schemes which provide rice and Rs 500 a month for the persons belonging to third gender. But, nobody is willing to rent out a space to stay only because we are transgenders. Hence, the government should provide us the shelter,” Prabhula, a transgender told the minister.
“There are 600 transgenders in the City. We are faced with social boycott. Nobody offers us a job. Hence, begging has become the only option for transgenders to survive,” she added.
In reply, George said that the district administration is working on a blueprint to construct shelter for the poor on 50 acres of land on the outskirts of the City.
“We will provide space for the transgenders too,” he said. Jayamma, a senior citizen, urged the minister to increase pension from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per month under Manasvini scheme. A group of students asked the government to provide milk or fruits on six days. While, a few others sought increase in stipend under Vidya Siri scheme. The Information department made an audio-visual presentation on welfare schemes launched by Siddaramaiah-led government.
4.69 lakh BPL cardholders
According to the facts and figures furnished by the government, there are 4.69 lakh BPL cardholders in Bengaluru Urban district alone.
Further, there are 3,094 beneficiaries under Manasvini scheme and 679 beneficiaries under Maitri scheme in Bengaluru Urban district. Apart from this, 840 beneficiaries under Krishi Bhagya have received assistance of Rs 13.51 crore. Under Ksheera Bhagya scheme, the State has spent Rs 86.37 crore to provide milk to 1.17 lakh schoolchildren.