The Lower House, Lok Sabha passed Transgender Bill, 2019 on Monday. The mentioned Bill has been passed numerous time in the previous years but has been always sent to the standing committee for scrutiny.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 has been passed by Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/VSSUOKvYEV
— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2019
ABOUT THE BILL-
- The Bill defines the “Transgender Community” and gives them various safeguards for their inclusive development. As per the provisions of Bill, an individual has to obtain the identity proof certificate from local District Magistrate on the Screening Committee recommendations. Only after receiving the letter of proof, They can invoke their rights.
- Expanding the ambit of Article 21 and Article 14, The Bill prohibits discrimination against Transgenders in various fields such as healthcare, education, and employment.
- The Bill also provides for 2 years of prison imprisonment for sexual offenses committed against the individuals of this community.
Earlier Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson, Swati Maliwal, expressed her dissatisfaction over the provisions of this bill. She lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment for addressing the concerns of Transgender section but condemned the bill in its present forms.
She wrote a letter expressing her remarks to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Her letter stated ” The DCW welcomes the move of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
but to introduce a bill for the protection of rights of transgender persons. However,
the draft of the Bill as accessed by the Commission has serious lacunas and lacks
certain major aspects.”
She openly criticized the clause of punishment against sexual crimes to these people. “For instance, the penal provision for sexual assault against a transgender person is imprisonment for a period of minimum six months to a maximum of two years only where for others, sexual assault is punishable by imprisonment of not less than seven years and maximum of life imprisonment,” her letter read.
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