Rejection of international aid act of vengeance: CPI-M
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 23 : Lashing out at the Centre, CPI-M Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said on Thursday that clinging to rules that will deny aid from foreign countries to flood-hit Kerala is nothing but an act of vengeance by the Centre.
"This should be seen as a follow up to statements that have come from Sangh Parivar agencies asking people not to contribute to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund," he told the media.
The UAE has offered Rs 700 crore and Qatar Rs 35 crore to help Kerala, where the worst floods in nearly a century has left some 370 people dead, more than a million people homeless and caused widespread destruction.
"This is the latest example of an anti-Kerala stand taken by the Centre. India avails huge amounts of assistance from countries and other international agencies... If the Centre feels that India is not going to accept international aid from various countries for Kerala, there is no issue if the Centre compensates it," said Balakrishnan.
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Bill to provide precise definition of 'transgender' introduced in LS
New Delhi (PTI): A bill seeking to provide a precise definition of the term "transgender" and provide graded punishments that reflect the gravity of the harm inflicted upon such persons was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill was introduced by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Virendra Kumar.
It notes that it is imperative to give a precise definition for proper and definitive identification and protection of transgender persons, to whom the benefits of the present law must reach.
The protection and benefits that are provided under the present law are vast in nature, and therefore, care has to be taken that "such identification cannot be extended based on any acquirable characteristics or personal choice or claimed self-perceived identity of an individual".
The Bill also contains provisions for "designation of an authority" which will have the option to seek "expert advice" if required.
The draft law also seeks to empower transgender persons to make consequential changes in official documents.
