Thiruvananthapuram: Transgenders do not have to struggle for money to undergo gender reassignment surgery in Kerala anymore. The Kerala state government will bear the cost of the gender transplantation surgery.
Earlier the state government had given several opportunities to transgenders for their education and work.
The new decision was taken at a meeting of the Transgender Justice Board, chaired by State Health Minister KK Shylaja.
The government will bear a maximum of Rs two lakhs of the cost of surgery. The amount will be paid through the Social Justice Department. The operation can be done either within the state or outside the state.
The state government will also allow additional payments to those transgenders who need more money for operation after specific checkups. The order related to these steps will arrive soon.
Those transgenders who have already done the surgery with their income will be given back the amount by the government. The LDF government has announced a transgender policy for gender equality in male, female and transgender categories.
The government has allotted a 2 per cent seat in the colleges for transgender students. Praveen, Daya Gayathri and Theertha Sarvika have taken admission at the Ernakulam Maharaja's College following the government order assuring reservation for transgender students at arts and science colleges in the State.
Also read: Maharaja’s College welcomes transgender students