They not only have to turn up in a saree, but also show proof of permanent residence to get a pension of Rs. 600 a month.
The Transgender people are not aware of the Mythree scheme and those who have enrolled for the scheme are facing problem in getting the benefits from it.
Mythree scheme was introduced in August 2012 by the Karnataka AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS).
Under the Mythree scheme, trangenders between the age of 25 and 64 years are provided a pension of Rs. 500.
Nikita (name changed), a transwoman, said, “I was not aware about the Mythree scheme until I came in contact with an NGO. I beg in Halasuru’s Cambridge Layout but the money has not been sufficient. I recently had my upper body surgery which amounted to nearly two lakh. After the surgery, I was could not take a proper diet because due to scarcityof money. Reach lives NGO provided me with the food and medicines and told me about the Mythree scheme.”
Mini Mohan, Founder of Reach lives, said that out of 100 trans people, only two to three people are benefiting and getting Rs.500 monthly. “The transactions are not regular. Sometimes, they don’t receive the money.”
Ullas Rangayya, Deputy Director, Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society, said, “The monthly pension of Rs. 500 has now been increased to Rs. 600. For trans people, the amount is still not enough and they are demanding to increase it. Due to less amount, not many transgender have enrolled to the scheme.”
Mallu Kumbar, a transgender and state coordinator of Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum said, “In 2014, we used to get Rs. 500 and since 2022, the amount has increased to Rs. 600. This increased amount is of no use because majority of us don’t receive it. With Rs. 600 we cannot fix one time meal for a month.” she said that the trans people cannot enroll themselves to the scheme if they are not wearing a saree. “Trans man who prefer wearing shirt and pants are sent back to their homes. Karnataka government should provide pension of atleast Rs. 5000 and should have a separate budget for transgender community.”
T. D. Sampath, convener, Impact India network, in collaboration with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), said, “Our team has conducted an annual survey on transgender. There are around 15,000-20,000 transgenders in Bengaluru. Many of them are not aware about the scheme. A few who are eligible for the scheme do not have proper documents. They have problem with their permanent address and even with the identity card. This is why, they are unable to enroll for the scheme.”
Mallu further added, “We people do not have a permanent address. Constant change in address also affects the enrolment of the scheme because enrolling for the scheme requires a permanent address.” Mini further said that these schemes are on paper and are not followed in the practical world. She said, “None of the transgender schemes are helping. The current situation of trans people is the same as before the schemes came in. Majority of them are dependent on NGOs. Giving Rs. 500 monthly will help them in no way. People spend that much money on transportation on a single day in the city.”
