LGBTQ+ individuals can now open joint bank accounts: Centre clarifies 'no restrictions’
New Delhi: The Finance Ministry has announced that LGBTQ+ individuals now face no restrictions when opening joint bank accounts or nominating their partners as beneficiaries. This clarification was issued following a Supreme Court order dated October 17, 2023, in the case of Supriyo@Supriya Chakraborty and another vs Union of India.
On August 28, the Ministry released an advisory emphasizing that queer community members can open joint accounts and designate their partners as nominees. This step follows a clarification issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to all commercial banks on August 21.
The advisory also reflects the RBI's ongoing efforts since 2015, when banks were instructed to include a 'third gender' option in their forms, enabling transgender individuals to access banking services more easily. This initiative led to the introduction of services tailored to the transgender community by various banks.
One such example is the 'Rainbow Savings Account' scheme launched by ESAF Small Finance Bank Ltd in 2022, which offered exclusive benefits to transgender individuals.
In response to the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling, the Centre formed a six-member committee in April 2024, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, to address issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community. The committee is tasked with ensuring equal access to services and protection against discrimination, violence, and harassment.
For further details, the advisory has been shared on the official Twitter handle of the Department of Financial Services (DFS).
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
