Union Cabinet approves Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019, amendments in POSCO Act 2012

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019. The Bill will be introduced in the ongoing session of parliament.

"The Bill provides a mechanism for their social, economic and educational empowerment. The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalized section and bring them into the mainstream of society," an official statement said.

The statement said that this will lead to inclusiveness and will make the transgender persons productive members of society.

"The Bill will bring greater accountability on the part of the Central Government and State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for issues concerning Transgender persons. The Bill will make all the stakeholders also responsive and accountable for upholding the principles underlying the Bill," it added.

Apart from this, the Union Cabinet also approved the Amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012.

"It will make punishment more stringent for committing sexual crimes against children including the death penalty. The amendments also provide for levy of fines and imprisonment to curb child pornography," read an official statement.

According to the statement, the amendment is expected to discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent due to strong penal provisions incorporated in the Act.

"It intends to protect the interest of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensures their safety and dignity. The amendment is aimed to establish clarity regarding the aspects of child abuse and punishment thereof," it added.

The amendment in Section-2, Section-4, Section-5, Section-6, Section-9, Section-14, Section-15, Section-34, Section-42 and Section-45 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)Act, 2012, is made to address the aspects of child sexual abuse in appropriate manner.

The government in its statement said that the modification is made to address the need for stringent measures required to deter the rising trend of child sex abuse in the country on one hand and to address the menace of relatively new kind of crimes on the other hand.