Madhu Babu Pension Scheme to be extended to Transgenders in Odisha

The Odisha Government has decided to include the transgender community as well within the ambit of Madhu Babu Pension Yojana that is aimed at providing pension to destitute elderly persons, differently-abled persons and widows in the state. The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has notified the same on July 16.

The Minister of the concerned department has stated that, under the social welfare scheme, 5000 transgenders will be benefitted and they will get Rs 500, Rs 700 and Rs 900 per month as pension under various categories depending on their age. The women who are fighting divorce cases in the courts will also get the benefit of this scheme along with the transgenders. The government has issued a new notification to include the transgender community by amending Rule 6 of the Madhu Babu Pension Rules, 2008.

In order to be eligible under this scheme, the beneficiaries should have a certificate issued under Section 6 of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019. The income of the particular beneficiary should not exceed Rs 40000 per annum in order to get this benefit and the beneficiary should not have any member in the family paying income tax or working in the government as an employee.

As of now, around 48 lakh people are covered under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana scheme.

Madhu Babu Pension Yojana

It is a social security scheme launched by the Odisha government to provide pension to the needy people in the state. It was launched in 2008 after merging two pension schemes – Revised Old Age Pension Rules, 1989 and Disability Pension Rules, 1985. The rules of inclusion have been stated in the eligibility criteria for the scheme. Previously it was only for two genders but now the transgenders can also avail the benefit under this scheme.

Month: Current Affairs - July, 2020