Delhi govt likely to notify Transgender Welfare rules in 15 days

The Delhi government is likely to notify rules for the inclusion of transgender persons under the SMILE scheme Garima Greh shelter homes and Ayushman Bharat TG Plus health coverage within the next 15 daysAn official said that the rules will provide legal recognition access to livelihood support healthcare education rehabilitation and protection against discrimination for transgender personsThese rules will be in line with the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2019 and constitutional guarantees of equality and dignity he saidThe draft rules have completed the consultation process and the gazette notification file has been sent for the final signature of the lieutenant governor after which the rules will be formally notified and implemented across Delhi he told PTIThe move follows an order issued on November 19 2025 by the central government asking all states and Union territories to adopt and implement the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2019 and related rules The Centres order aligned with the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2019 and its Rules 2020 ensuring legal recognition welfare measures and protection against discrimination for transgender persons in education employment healthcare and access to public servicesThe order further stated that transgender persons are guaranteed equality dignity and nondiscrimination under Articles 14 right to equality 15 prohibits discrimination against citizens on grounds only of religion race caste sex or place of birth 19 protects freedoms of speech and expression peaceful assembly forming associationsunions free movement residence and practicing any profession or business and 21 right to life or personal liberty of the Constitution It also proposed rules that seek to operationalise these rights through structured welfare mechanisms at the state levelAccording to the order the SMILE scheme provides livelihood support skill development education assistance healthcare access and rehabilitation for transgender persons and other marginalised individuals and has been operationalised in alignment with the 2019 ActThe rules provide for healthcare support through Ayushman Bharat Transgender Plus including genderaffirming care hormone therapy sex reassignment surgery and postoperative care with free medical coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per person per year it added The order also mandated setting up Garima Greh shelter homes to offer safe accommodation food medical care counselling and recreational facilities for transgender persons in needIt further directed the establishment of districtlevel transgender protection cells under district magistrates to monitor offences ensure timely registration of FIRs and conduct sensitisation programmes to strengthen legal protections for the transgender communityThe rules also provide for grievance redressal interdepartmental coordination and monitoring of welfare schemes and integration with the National Portal for Transgender Persons to enable certification scheme access and transparency through multilingual digital servicesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever