Govt to consider free bus travel for transgenders
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:09.05.2021
A day after the newly elected DMK government announced free travel for women in ordinary (whiteboard) town buses, chief minister M K Stalin said his government would consider extending the scheme to cover transgenders. The chief minister responded to a tweet by a journalist requesting him to include transgenders in the scheme as many from the community struggle financially.
Stalin, in his response to the tweet, said the DMK has always been considerate towards the welfare of transgenders and that they would take a decision on the matter at the earliest. His response was lauded by members from the transgender community, who said providing free travel would make it easier for them to travel long distances for work and work-related opportunities.
Jaya, general manager of trans rights NGO Sahodaran, was confident of a positive decision from the government. “The DMK was a pioneer in implementing welfare projects for transgenders, we are sure they will implement this scheme too,” she said.
Grace Banu, a trans activist and founder of the Trans Rights Now Collective, said it is important to include transgenders in this scheme during the pandemic as many do not have jobs and are struggling with little financial aid. “This could be the first and positive step to help the community,” she said.
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