The Tamil Nadu State Government last week submitted before the Madras HC that it is willing to “sympathetically consider” a financial aid worth Rs. 4000/- to battle COVID-19 to the transgender people in Tamil Nadu who do not possess ration cards.

The Bench consisted of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy. The Bench was hearing a PIL filed by a transgender rights activist, namely, Grace Banu Ganeshan, elucidating that most people belonging to the trans community in Tamil Nadu do not possess ration cards.

The plea filed by Banu seeks cash benefits from the State Government.

The Advocate General appearing for the State submitted that he will guide the Government to go through this matter related to transgender people.

“Failed to consider the right to life and livelihood of socially and economically backward Transgender Persons who have lost their livelihood due to the Covid-19 lockdown imposed by the Government of Tamil Nadu.”

The plea submits.

The plea further states that the people in the trans community are illiterate and hardly possess the knowledge to use online platforms to register for transgender identity card as per the new law.

Lastly, it elucidates that the Government will sympathetically consider the subject matter regarding the transgender persons and the ration card will not stand in their way of receiving help and financial aid.

The court states that this matter will be heard on 7th June, wherein the State Government will report any measures taken pertaining to the matter.

[READ ORDER]