Thiruvananthapuram : : Scholarship to the tune of Rs 10.71 lakh was sanctioned for education of 100 transgenders under Samatva scheme for continued studies, said Health Minister KK Shailaja. The 100 beneficiaries had registered with the State Literacy Mission authority for pursuing higher studies.
Apart from scholarship, shelter arrangements will be made to lodge these individuals during their study period. Rs 35 lakh was allocated earlier for imparting job-oriented training for members of this community following which, 100 more registered for the courses, necessitating the present Rs 10 allowed in added scholarships.
Samatva scheme, implemented by Literacy Mission Authority - part of Transgenders’ Welfare Project - helps transgenders lacking literacy to undergo equivalent literacy programmes and others who might have discontinued their studies to pursue further education. The Samatva scholarship helps transgenders to learn for IV, VII and X grade equivalent exams.
The Social Welfare Department has devised various schemes for the upliftment of the transgender community, laying emphasis on their education and job orientation. The govt had sanctioned Rs 6 lakh recently for their education purposes. A member of this community can avail up to Rs 3 lakh in loan for self-employment, so they attain financial self-reliance like others. The loans are disbursed via Women’s Development Corporation .
