New Initiative Under the Sweekruti Scheme
To promote equal rights and opportunities, the Odisha government is set to introduce a skill development programme specifically for the transgender community. The initiative will be launched under the Sweekruti scheme, which focuses on social inclusion and empowerment.
Training to Be Conducted Across All Districts
The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) will coordinate the training. District-level social security officers will support its implementation in all 30 districts of Odisha.
A recent high-level meeting was held to finalize the structure of the programme. According to officials, the training will be delivered in batches of 30 to 40 transgender individuals per group.
Involvement of Key State Agencies
The state government plans to collaborate with departments such as Mission Shakti, the Odisha Livelihood Mission, and the Odisha Skill Development Authority. These bodies will help curate training modules that are practical and employment-oriented.
Skills such as data entry operation have been proposed as part of the curriculum. However, other employable skill sets may also be included based on local demand and available resources.
TG ID Card Facilitation at the District Level
To support this initiative, the government will appoint two volunteers from the transgender community in each district. Their role will be to assist with registering transgender persons on the national portal. This step is crucial for issuing TG ID cards and certificates, which are essential for accessing various welfare schemes.
Focus on Self-Employment and Social Inclusion
Sonia Behera, Additional Secretary of the Social Security Department, emphasized the goal behind the programme.
“The objective is to provide self-employment opportunities to the transgender community by offering them skill training. This will also help change public perception about transgender persons,” she said.
By equipping the community with employable skills, the government hopes to promote dignity, livelihood, and social recognition for transgender individuals in the state.
