Activists say more awareness needed on higher education scholarship for transpersons
The scholarship was launched last February to increase the enrolment of transpersons in collegiate education. Last year, five students from the trans community benefited from the scheme, officials said. The scheme covers every expenses related to education, including hostel, food, and tuition. Despite the government allocating ₹2 crore for the scheme to promote higher education among the trans community, applicants have been few and far between.
'This is usually the crucial age that transpersons left their homes to get surgery. They will require money to survive and save up for the surgery. Studies take a backseat,' said Sudha, a transgender activist who is a part of Sahodaran, a non-governmental organisation.
Rural outreach
Further, Ms. Sudha added that there needed to be more awareness regarding the scholarship. 'In villages, there are transpersons who are yet to hear of the scheme. The Social Welfare Department needs to hold awareness programmes in these areas to ensure that those interested can enrol,' she added.
She pointed out that due to the support of the State government, many universities offered full scholarship courses or ones at subsidised rates, which have been very beneficial for the community.
According to Fred Rogers (he/him), transgender rights activist, said though transmen were interested in the scholarship, many assumed that since the Government Order mentions 'Thirunangai', transmen would be turned away. However, officials in the department clarified that the scheme was applicable to all transpersons.
Further, Mr. Rogers added that the scheme required the applicant to possess a transperson identity card. 'Many transpersons who might be pursuing higher education would be scared to come out fearing backlash from the people around them. This leads to many not having an ID and, hence, not being able to avail themselves of the scholarship. A safe way to access the scheme would be more ideal,' he added.
Officials in the Social Welfare Department said that currently, the scheme covered only the first degree a transperson pursues. 'We are considering including other degrees including postgraduate courses and Ph.Ds to encourage them to study further,' the official added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
Govt hikes jr docs' stipend, averts indefinite strike
Hyderabad: Inresponse to the junior doctors' call for an indefinite strike from Monday, the Telangana government has increased their stipends by 15 per cent. The announcement on Sunday led to the doctors calling off their proposed action. Under the new pay structure, interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 29,792, while PG doctors' stipends will range from Rs 67,032 to Rs 74,782 over the course of their programme. Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narsimha instructed top officials on Sunday to increase stipends for junior doctors and honorariums for senior residents. The government subsequently issued a Government Order (GO 90), which increases stipends for MBBS/BDS interns, post-graduate doctors (both Degree and Diploma), PG dental students, and Super Speciality students, as well as the honorarium for senior residents, effective from 1 January 2025. With this increase, medical and dental interns will now receive Rs 29,792 per month, up from their previous Rs 25,906. PG doctors will receive a stipend of Rs 67,032 in their first year, Rs 70,757 in the second year, and Rs 74,782 in the final year. Super Speciality students will see their stipends rise to Rs 1,06,461 in the first year, Rs 1,11,785 in the second year, and Rs 1,17,103 in the third year. The GO also states that the honorarium for senior residents and doctors is being increased from Rs 92,575 to Rs 1, 06,461. Minister Raja Narsimha directed officials to ensure that these revised stipends are credited by the 10th of every month. A necessary Budget Release Order (BRO) has been issued to facilitate the payments for the entire year, and the government has also released all pending stipend arrears. With Saturday and Sunday being bank holidays, officials are preparing to credit the stipends into the junior doctors' accounts on Monday. In a separate move, the Finance Department issued a GO extending the tenure of senior residents, assistant professors, and other contract staff for another year, which will pave the way for them to receive regular salaries. It is noted that the Telangana Junior Doctors' Association (TJUDA) had threatened to go on an indefinite strike from 30 June if their demands were not met. Their key demands included the timely payment of stipends, the implementation of a stipend hike GO, and the provision of adequate infrastructure in government medical colleges. The TJUDA, representing junior doctors from all 34 Government Medical Colleges across the state, had consistently raised these challenges with the health minister and health secretary.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- The Hindu
Telangana junior doctors to launch indefinite strike from June 30
The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA), representing doctors across all 34 government medical colleges in the State, has announced an indefinite Statewide strike beginning June 30, citing unresolved issues related to stipends, infrastructure, and working conditions. In a letter addressed to the Director of Medical Education, Dr A. Narendra Kumar, the association stated that despite repeated representations since November 2024, their concerns have remained unaddressed. 'Junior doctors in Telangana, the backbone of the State's government hospitals, are stretched to their limits, often working more than 36 hours at a stretch under immense physical and mental strain without receiving what is rightfully due,' the letter said. The key concerns raised by the junior doctors are: Delayed stipend disbursement: Stipends for postgraduates, house surgeons, and especially senior residents have reportedly been delayed by over three months. The association has demanded the creation of a Green Channel mechanism to ensure stipend disbursement by the 10th of every month. Non-implementation of stipend hike ( Although the government issued a Government Order (GO) revising stipends effective from January 2025, the hike remains unimplemented. TJUDA is demanding an immediate implementation and disbursement of arrears from January. Inadequate infrastructure in medical colleges: The association cited the lack of basic facilities like incomplete or unopened buildings (in Nagarkurnool and Siddipet), inadequate water supply and transportation (Bhadrachalam-Kothagudem), and poor sports infrastructure (Nizamabad's lack of a playground for 12 years). They highlighted the need to include student representatives in all infrastructure review committees. Faculty shortages: TJUDA flagged the acute shortage of clinical and para-clinical teaching faculty, which they say is severely affecting both undergraduate and postgraduate education. They are calling for a regular, annual recruitment calendar and immediate hiring to meet National Medical Commission (NMC) norms. Stipend irregularities in private medical colleges: The association has also demanded government action to address violations of stipend regulations in private medical institutions, urging strict monitoring and compliance. Delayed scholarships and fee reimbursements: Students from minority, SC, ST, and BC categories are reportedly being forced to pay out-of-pocket due to delays or denial of scholarship and fee reimbursement. 'Not a single student has received full reimbursement of academic fees to date,' the letter noted. 'All undergraduates, postgraduates, house surgeons, and senior residents will participate in this strike until our genuine demands are fully met,' TJUDA stated.
The Hindu
23-06-2025
- The Hindu
Contract doctors in Telangana raise alarm over delay in extensions, salary arrears
Hundreds of doctors working as assistant professors, associate professors, professors, and senior residents (SRs) on contract basis in government medical colleges across Telangana have been left without salaries for nearly three months, even as they continue to provide academic and clinical care across the State. The doctors reached out to Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu recently appealing for the urgent release of a Government Order (G.O.) to extend their contracts by another year (from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026). The representation cited that their earlier recruitment was under G.O. Ms. No. 98, dated March 11, 2024, and underscored that without a fresh extension order, even salary disbursement has been stalled. 'Despite our contract lapsing on March 31, we have been fulfilling our duties since April 1 without pay. This month marks the third month without salaries. Our employment status is hanging in limbo,' said one of the contract doctors, speaking on condition of anonymity. The issue affects not only approximately 500 contract professors and assistant professors across Telangana but also around 1,100 senior residents who recently joined after completing their post-graduation. Their salaries too are linked to the same pending approval, making the financial uncertainty widespread. Frustrated by the administrative delay, the doctors say the responsibility to follow up on these files is being pushed around. 'The Director of Medical Education (DME) says they have sent the file to the Health Secretary, but no one is giving us clear answers,' added another doctor. The doctor further added that the file should have been sent by January to ensure the budget was allocated in time but it was sent after March, which means unless a revised G.O. is issued soon, we cannot be paid for April, May, or June,' the doctor added. The doctors warn that if no action is taken, many may quit government service due to uncertainty and lack of payment. 'There is a real danger of the system collapsing. These doctors are the backbone of healthcare and medical education in government hospitals across Telangana. If they walk away, there will be no one left to teach or treat,' another doctor warned. Beyond contract extensions, the doctors also highlighted the lack of regular calendar year recruitment by the Health Department.
