Tamil Nadu Govt. to extend COVID relief to transgenders regardless of registration, identity proof.

The Govt. of Tamil Nadu had issued a notification requiring all transgenders to apply to the Transgender Board in the State by May 31, 2021 (and not beyond) so that they may be considered as transgenders for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of Rs. 4,000 financial assistance from the State.

However, it was brought to the notice of the High Court of Madras that not all transgenders have any form of identification or acknowledgment by any government organisation of their status.

The State Govt. therefore agreed to extend the benefit to all transgenders in the State irrespective of whether they are registered or not, through an appropriate modality to ensure that all transgenders receive the benefit and yet, the system is not misused.