Public Welfare / Odisha Government Announces Free Surgeries, Welfare Schemes for Transgender Community

Bhubaneswar, Aug 8: The Odisha government has announced that gender reassignment surgeries for transgender persons will now be conducted free of cost at state‑run medical colleges.

This move eliminates the need for individuals to spend between ₹1.5 to ₹2 lakh or travel outside the state for the procedure.

The announcement was made during the first meeting of the State Transgender Welfare Board, chaired by Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister Nityananda Gond. The decision has been widely welcomed by the transgender community, who see it as a step toward dignity, inclusion, and equal rights.

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Beyond free surgeries, the government has also introduced a series of welfare measures. These include 1% reservation in educational institutions, fee waivers, separate hostels and toilets, and housing support under schemes like Basundhara and PM Awas Yojana.

A community hall will be built in Puri, and a census of transgender and LGBT communities will be undertaken to ensure accurate representation in social security programs.

The state has already rolled out initiatives such as the ‘Swikruti’ scheme, under which 80 transgender self‑help groups have been formed, with 41 receiving one‑time financial assistance of ₹50,000 each.

Under the ‘SMILE’ scheme, 3,159 transgender persons have been issued ID cards and certificates. Bhubaneswar’s Garima Gruha currently houses 25 members, while distribution of Ayushman Bharat TG Plus health cards is underway.

Minister Gond emphasized that the government’s goal is to ensure equal opportunities and social security for all sections of society. “Transgender persons have often been neglected. We are committed to safeguarding their rights, dignity, and progress,” he said.