Transgender persons seek fee waiver on EDII-TN courses

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Representatives of the transgender community in Tiruchi have urged the authorities to facilitate the provision of free skills training courses conducted by the Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute under the auspices of the State government (EDII-TN).

Over 30 short-term certificate courses in vocational subjects such as digital marketing, baking, gold appraisal and perfume manufacture, among others, are offered by EDII-TN at its Chennai centre and in other places for a fee.

Waiving the fees for the courses would help transgender aspirants to join the courses, activists said.

The course fees range upwards of ₹5,000 depending on the skills being taught.

“The Tamil Nadu Transgender Welfare Board provides a self-employment subsidy of ₹50,000 per year to help eligible transgender persons start small businesses and earn a dignified livelihood. However, the amount rarely gets used for the said purpose. It would be better if the transgender persons are given an opportunity to apply for EDII-TN courses for free, as it will equip them with useful skills,” Kajol, managing trustee, SAFE Trust, and a transgender entrepreneur in Tiruchi, told The Hindu .

Many transgender persons are unable to afford the study and travel cost of EDII-TN courses that are conducted in Chennai and authorities of the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department must recommend waiving the fees for them, the activist added.

When contacted, a senior EDII-TN official said that fee exemption was not possible at this juncture for transgender applicants. “We will advise interested individuals to contact their local district administration for help to organise batches of transgender aspirants. EDII-TN is willing to give concessions on fees up to a certain limit.”

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