SWD provides pension benefits to transgender beneficiary

Bhaderwah : The Social Welfare Department Tuesday extended pension benefits to a third-gender (transgender) beneficiary from Chinote Panchayat Bhaderwah who had been living in acute financial distress with no regular source of income.
The beneficiary remained deprived of pension benefits for a prolonged period due to the non-availability of essential documents and apprehensions arising from social stigma. Upon receiving information about the case, the Tehsil Social Welfare Officer (TSWO) Shahnawaz Ahmad took immediate cognizance and deputed Davinder Ji to assist the beneficiary in completing all requisite documentation. The case was promptly uploaded on the designated portal and processed on priority, leading to its timely sanction.
The sanction order was formally handed over to the beneficiary Tuesday by the TSWO Bhaderwah. Sharing her background, the beneficiary stated that she originally belonged to Bhella Panchayat of Sub-Division Thathri. “After the demise of her father in an accident, her mother remarried and shifted to Chinote Bhaderwah in 2009–2010,” she said even as acknowledging the care and support provided by her stepfather.
The beneficiary expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Social Welfare Department, especially the Deputy Commissioner Doda, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah, District Social Welfare Officer Doda, and Tehsil Social Welfare Officer Bhaderwah for their timely support and empathetic intervention which has provided her with financial security and dignity.