Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given his consent to include members of the transgender community in a social welfare scheme that provides a monthly pension to the needy.

The community, along with others, will be covered under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY).

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The MBPY aims at providing financial assistance to the destitute elderly, differently-abled persons and widows.

It may be mentioned here that there are around 5,000 transgenders who will receive a monthly pension between Rs 500 and Rs 900.

โ€œThe pension amount will depend on their age,โ€ said Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) minister Ashok Panda.

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The decision was taken in view of the promises made by the BJD in its election manifesto in 2019.

โ€œThe transgender people will have to apply on the official website of the department to register themselves under the MBPY,โ€ the minister said.