Bhubaneswar: The Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) department has decided to bear 50 per cent of the financial assistance given by banking institutions to transgenders for self-employment.
The decision was taken at a recent meeting held by the SSEPD department, entrusted with the task of framing policies for the transgender community in the state. The meeting was held with the leading banking institutions from the state.
According to the officials present at the meeting, the SSEPD department is eager to give 50 per cent loan subsidy to transgender applicants who are keen to set up their own ventures or be a part of the workforce.
“It was proposed that the SSEPD department would reimburse 50 per cent of the project cost as subsidy for the projects assessed and approved by the bankers depending on credibility, credit worthiness and repayment potentials as provided under banking principles,” reads the minutes of the meeting.
The funding would be routed through the Sweekruti scheme, specially crafted for the transgender community to include them in the workforce. During the meeting, the SSEPD department requested the bankers to come forward and extend the requisite cooperation in the shape of financial assistance to the community through loans and ensure their financial inclusion.
During the course of the meeting, the bankers suggested some projects like grocery, dairy and cab business. It was agreed at the meeting for building entrepreneurship amongst transgenders for making them self-sufficient.
The state government has agreed to entrust the District Social Security Officers (DSSOs) to identify the beneficiaries and pursue them to opt for the admissible scheme run by bankers enabling the eligible transgender to avail the facilities in coordination with local bank branches.
