Government neglects support for Transpeople seeking Sex Reassignment Surgery

Kannur: The Government has turned its back on transgender people who have undergone sex reassignment surgery and those in need of further treatment as they suffer sans government aid for over a year now. More than 100 applicants await aid and this includes just those who have had the surgery done.

Assistance for sex reassignment surgery is granted through the Department of Social Justice. Since the start of the project in 2018, till 2022, more than 300 people have received assistance. Transwomen (male to female) are given Rs 2.5 lakh and transmen (female to male) get Rs 5 lakh assistance. Apart from this, the government also sanctioned Rs 3000 per month for a year after surgery for other needs including supplementary counseling. However, all this has been stalled for over a year now. 

The cost of sex reassignment surgery for transwomen is around Rs 4 lakh while it may go up to Rs 8 lakh for transmen. Kerala was the first to implement a ‘transgender policy’ to ensure protection, justice and equality for transpersons.

Earlier, the applicants were contacted through the transgender cell which was disbanded after it expired in July. Now the department of social justice is handling all affairs directly. The department officials said that a meeting of the technical committee will be held soon to ensure distribution of aid. 

Adidev, a transperson, who underwent surgery by borrowing money and hoping for government aid is now in jeopardy. The surgery was done in February but aid is yet to be received. Due to physical difficulties following the surgery, they are not able to go to work, thus making them wonder where their next meal will come from.