Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given his consent to include members of the transgender community in a social welfare scheme that provides a monthly pension to the needy.
The community, along with others, will be covered under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY).
The MBPY aims at providing financial assistance to the destitute elderly, differently-abled persons and widows.
It may be mentioned here that there are around 5,000 transgenders who will receive a monthly pension between Rs 500 and Rs 900.
“The pension amount will depend on their age,” said Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) minister Ashok Panda.
The decision was taken in view of the promises made by the BJD in its election manifesto in 2019.
“The transgender people will have to apply on the official website of the department to register themselves under the MBPY,” the minister said.