M’lore: ID cards distributed for first time to sexual minorities

Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, Aug 4, 2014 : The district administration for the first time in Karnataka distributed Identity cards to sexual minorities on Saturday August 2.

 

Mangalore south MLA J R Lobo distributed the cards here on Saturday.

 

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Lobo said, ‘Dakshina Kannada (DK) district is the first one to implement the Identity cards to sexual minorities. I appreciate the district administration for this.’

 

 

‘The sexual minorities should utilize Maitri Pension scheme for their economic empowerment. They should change their mindset and not depend on others for their financial needs. If they improve their confidence and get themselves economically independent, the society too will help them,’ said MLA Lobo.

 

MLA Lobo also distributed the Maithri Pension cheques to 4 beneficiaries on the same occasion.

 

DK district Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said, ‘The state government has planned many programmes for sexual minorities. Due to the lack of identity proof, the sexual minorities were not able to get the voter’s ID and the ration card. The identity card is not a permanent solution but I feel in the course of time this will be accepted as a major proof.’

 

‘Within 3 to 6 month, a report regarding the problems of the sexual minorities is expected to be submitted to state government. This report will be major tool to solve the problems of them,’ said MLA Lobo.

 

Speaking about the employability facilities to the sexual minorities, DC Ibrahim said, ‘There is a proposal to appoint the sexual minorities as the security guards. Regarding the rehabilitation of them talks are in progress with the Father Muller Hospital and we will come to a final solution in upcoming days,’ said DC Ibrahim.

 

DC Ibrahim thanked the state government for reducing the age to obtain the pension for the sexual communities under the Maithri Scheme from 40 years to 30 years.

 

‘We aim to issue voter’s identity cards and ration cards to the sexual minorities within 6 months,’ said DC Ibrahim.

 

MLC Ivan D’Souza lauded the follow-up done by the DC Ibrahim in issuing these cards. He said,  ‘The plan to implement identity cards for sexual minorities was discussed on June 29h and the follow up and speedy implementation is appreciable,’ said MLC Ivan.

 

ACP Jagdish stressed on the need to add the address details in the identity cards.

 

The women and child welfare deputy director Gertrude Veigas, Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane) president Rajesh, ADC Sadashiva, AC Dr Venkatesh and others were present at the occasion.

 

The cards were issued the sexual minorities who have registered themselves in an organization called Navasahaja Samudaya Sanghatane and already 252 have been registered. As per the survey their number is about 1,672 in DK district.