Indian Express 11.10.2010
In a first by a civic body, eunuchs to get Rs 1,000 as monthly pension
Express News Service Tags : Municipal Corporation of Delhi, MCD Posted: Wed Nov 10 2010, 04:49 hrs
New Delhi: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has included eunuchs in its pension scheme, through which they will be paid Rs 1,000 per month under Account 1029 of the MCD — dealing with disbursement of pension among the elderly, widows, mentally challenged, crippled, widowers, divorcees, etc. MCD is the first government agency in the country to provide such a facility for the benefit of eunuchs.The scheme was passed after then Women and Child Welfare Chairperson Malti Verma had made the proposal in the MCD 2010-11 budget discussion. The corporation has also added orphan children up to the age of 18 years in the monthly pension list.
According to MCD officials, eunuchs have very limited sources of income and once they grow old, even that is taken away. The corporation has taken the step because the government does not have any plan to help them out.
According to the MCD, there are three lakh eunuchs residing in Delhi who could benefit from the pension. For this, the beneficiary would have to submit a medical certificate with proof of being a eunuch from any government hospital. The person would also have to submit an affidavit to the effect that the eunuch is unmarried, besides a document that bears proof that the applicant is not below 18 years of age.
Councillor and former corporation chairperson Malti Verma said that the MCD works for the upliftment of the deprived sections of the society. “Just like the orphans, widows and handicapped persons, deprived eunuchs also need care and attention. They also have equal rights in the development and upliftment schemes of the MCD,” she said.
