The Pioneer 10.11.2010
MCD comes up with eunuch pension planSR | New Delhi
In a bid to restore dignity and self-respect of eunuchs in the city, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has notified a scheme under which they have been included in its pension scheme like widows, orphans or disabled.
With the announcement, MCD became first Government agency in the India to provide financial help to the eunuchs. As per the arrangement of the notification, the civic body will provide an assistance of `1,000 every month for the ‘third gender’. Under the pension scheme the civic agency has already been benefiting different sections of the society including the elderly, widows and physically challenged.
While speaking about the scheme, MCD Works Committee Chairman Jagdish Mamgain said like others, eunuchs too will have to get a recommendation from the area Councillor for securing the pension. They will also have to submit a medical certificate from any Government hospital as proof of being an eunuch. An affidavit to the effect that the eunuch is not married and the birth certificate or any other document showing the age of the applicant not below 18 years will have to be given. The MCD included orphans up to 18 years into the pension scheme.
The proposal of providing pension to eunuchs and using them for house tax collection was proposed by Councillor Malti Verma in the MCD 2010-11 budget discussion. Later, it was approved by the MCD House. “Eunuchs are a deprived section of the society. They don’t have any employment opportunity and only a few young ones earn money through dancing and singing on auspicious occasions,” said a MCD official. He also pointed out that when they get older, they face a distressing situation and the Government lacks a plan for giving assistance to them.
