Transgenders in Odisha to get family pension

Bhubaneswar: The transgenders from Odisha got a reason to cheer as the state cabinet has made transgender children eligible to be included in family pension of government employee.

Odisha government has given approval to amend the OCS (Pensions) Rules, 1992 to enable a transgender child of a government servant or pensioner, who died on or after January 10,2020 shall be treated as an unmarried daughter.

“The transgender child must be fully dependant on the government servant/pensioner for consideration of family pension. Besides, the government employee or pensioner must not have any other unmarried daughter or differently-abled daughter to claim the family pension,” the official.

Appreciating the decision of the state government, Mira Parida, transgender and social activist said, “Discriminations against transgender starts from family first. When a transgender gets the rights  in family properties or pensions then a change in mindset would be visible.”

“Its a great step and it will ensure social justice for the people from the transgender community,” she added.