Tuesday (November 26): The bill on protection of rights of transgenders is passed by Rajya Sabha today after a motion to refer it to a select committee of the Upper House was defeated.
The Lok Sabha had passed the bill on August 5.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, seeks to provide a mechanism for social, economic and educational empowerment of transgenders.
The bill was moved for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on November 20.
Replying to a discussion for further consideration of the bill, Gehlot said efforts will be made to incorporate the suggestions presented by members while framing the rules.
Elaborating on the provisions of the bill, the minister said it is aimed at eliminating discrimination against transgenders and the government will form a national council for its implementation after the legislation is brought into effect.
He informed that the recommendations and suggestions of the standing committee of the Lok Sabha have also been incorporated in the bill.
The motion to refer the bill to a select committee of the Rajya Sabha was moved by Tiruchi Siva of the DMK.
However, it was defeated after voting took place.
Gehlot appealed to the members to pass the bill saying it was drafted by late BJP leader Arun Jaitley when he was the Union Law Minister and argued that there was no need to send it to a select committee as it has already undergone the scrutiny of the standing committee of Lok Sabha.
He said the Supreme Court’s direction in April 2014 regarding framing transgenders has also been kept in mind.
The Supreme Court had recognised the transgender community as a third gender along with male and female in April 2014.
Earlier, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva stressed that given the sensitivity of the issue and the insult, discrimination and atrocities inflicted on the transgender community, the bill should be sent to the select committee.
