Madras High Court seeks response from Tamil Nadu govt on plea seeking COVID-19 cash relief to Transgender persons not holding ration cards

The Madras High Court on Thursday sought the response of the Tamil Nadu government on a plea seeking the extension of COVID-19 cash relief aid already being granted by the State to ration card holders to all transgender persons as well (Grace Banu Ganesan v. Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu). .The public interest litigation (PIL) petition moved by transgender rights activist, Grace Banu Ganeshan, highlighted that most transgender persons in Tamil Nadu do not possess ration cards. .This concern was highlighted by Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari as well on Thursday before a Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy. .The petition highlighted the following:.Amid the spread of COVID-19 in Tamil Nadu, transgender persons are finding it difficult to meet their medical and livelihood requirements. The majority of transgender persons in Tamil Nadu do not possess ration cards. There are over 50,000 transgender persons in the State of Tamil Nadu. However, the Social Welfare Department claims that only 11,449 transgender persons have been identified in a survey conducted by it. Out of this, only 2,541 transgender persons were issued a ration card, the petitioner submitted. The State's Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection Department had announced a scheme to provide COVID-19 cash relief of Rs. 4,000 to those who have a ration card. The first instalment of Rs. 2, 000 is being made this month (May 2021). Limiting this cash relief only to persons who possess ration cards would deny the benefit to thousands of poor transgender persons in Tamil Nadu who do not have a ration card due to various reasons, the petitioner added. Transgender persons may not having a ration card due to hurdles faced by them when they change their name and gender identity. The discrimination faced by them has resulted in their not being able to access the new scheme of cash relief by the State, it is pointed out..Moreover, the petitioner also made submissions on the need for carrying out special vaccination drives for transgender persons. .There is a fear in the minds of transgender persons, who are going through various stages of Hormone Therapy, Sex Reassignment Surgery etc. as to whether taking COVID-19 vaccination would be appropriate during stages of their medical treatment, it was pointed out. .In this backdrop, concern was raised that the State has not taken any steps to issue guidelines or awareness programmes to instill confidence among transgender persons when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination. .The State has failed to come up with awareness programmes or special arrangements to cater to the needs of HIV+ transgender persons, who are vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, the petitioner further stated. .The government should conduct special measures to assist transgender persons in registering for vaccination, as they are often not able to register online, the petitioner submitted. ."There should also be special drives for vaccination in the community health centres where transgender persons can easily access and they should be given special slots for vaccination," the petition said. .The petitioner made the following prayers:.1. That the government be directed to revise its May 7 Government order so that the COVID-19 cash relief of Rs.4,000 is extended to transgender persons in Tamil Nadu who do not possess ration cards;2. That the government. be directed to conduct awareness programmes for transgender persons in the State of Tamil Nadu regarding COVID-19 vaccination, especially to assure those undergoing hormone therapy and other treatments about the safety of vaccines;3. That the government conduct special vaccination drives for transgender persons in Tamil Nadu by assisting them to register online and get special vaccination slots in local community health centres..Notice issued in plea to give risk and hardship allowance to police officers, sanitisation workers etc. .The Bench of Chief Justice Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy today also issued notice in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking:1. The grant of one month salary as risk and hardship allowance to police officers and cleaning staff (sanitisation workers);2. The grant of one time COVID-19 Lockdown compensation of Rs.10,000 to journalists, drivers or buses, taxis, autos etc., employees of the unorganised sector and employees of various other establishments which were closed due to lockdown restrictions. .This matter will be heard next on June 3 (B Ramkumar Adityan v. Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and ors). .[Read Orders]