The Benami Transactions Prohibition (Amendment) bill, seeking to strengthen laws prohibiting benami transactions, and the transgender bill, which aims to mitigate the stigma against transgenders, were approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.
Two bills– transgender and Benami– on which government is expecting consensus in the House, are likely to be taken up in Parliament next week.
The Benami Transactions Prohibition (Amendment) bill, seeking to strengthen laws prohibiting benami transactions, and the transgender bill, which aims to mitigate the stigma against transgenders, were approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.
Even as the government's proposed transgender legislation incorporated several of the provisions of the private member's bill which was moved by Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva and passed in April last year, it has skipped some. While Siva's bill included providing protective custody to transgenders if desired, maintenance in case they face violence and right to file a complaint under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code or any other law dealing with such crimes, the government's legislation does not accommodate these.
The government's bill also skips mention of special court for transgenders, state commissions for transgenders and free legal services under NALSA or SLSA, as stipulated by the NALSA judgment of 2012.
The government bill, however, has added scholarship/entitlements, fee-waiver, free textbooks, free hostel accommodation, pension, financial assistance to parents and other facilities at subsidized rates for students belonging of this group, according to sources. It also seeks to ensure that all educational institutions/universities should establish an anti-discrimination cell to monitor any form of discrimination against the transgender community, besides a helpline for Career Guidance and Online Placement Support.
Parliamentary affairs minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday said there was "not much difference" between the private member's bill and the one brought by the government.
It was the first time in 45 years that a private member's bill was passed. The government had then assured the House that it would bring a bill on similar lines.
"Transgenders require welfare measures. There has to be justice. It a section that faces social stigma and need to get due recognition,"Kumar said.
While discussions are on between government and opposition parties, including Congress, on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, the government is hopeful that the transgenders and Benami bills will get passed smoothly in both Houses.
"This amended bill (on Benami Transaction) is one step forward in eradicating black money. It will tighten noose around wrongdoers and give more powers to the revenue department to identify and take actions against those who have banami properties," Ananth Kumar told reporters here.
He said the Benami bill would also be listed for next week. "It is another step in eradicating black money. It will tighten and give more powers to the revenue department to identify benami properties,"Kumar said.
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