All the 60-odd transgenders live in eight green houses

RAMANATHAPURAM

‘Thirunangaigal Colony’ on the outskirts of Paramakudi lacks basic facilities ever since it was established in 2010 after the then Collector distributed 21 house site pattas for transgenders and sanctioned eight solar power green houses.

The colony, located in the midst of a heavy growth of karuvelam trees (prosophis jungle), should be one of the least visited areas by officials. After the initial allotment of eight green houses, there has been no development for the past eight years and all the 60-odd transgenders live in the eight small houses. “Several people live in a 300 square feet house,” says Kavitha, leader of the transgenders.

Solar power failed after the batteries and inverters were stolen and they literally lived in the dark before getting power supply, Kavitha said.

The transgenders somehow managed the issue of accommodation, but could not tackle water problem. In the absence of a bore well and piped water supply, they were forced to buy water from tankers. They spent a major portion of their earnings for buying water, paying ₹ 450 per tanker and buying four tankers a week, she said.

The government offered them poultry last year but the birds had soon fallen prey to wild cats. The approach road to the colony was badly damaged and had no lights. “Officials seldom visited the colony and we are fed up with presenting petitions to them,” Kavitha said.

Asserting that they never indulged in theft or other antisocial activities, she gave a list of names and identities of transgenders to the local police station and requested the police not to harass them when outsiders created any nuisance, Kavitha said.

They attended an awareness camp at the district employment exchange recently “but getting a government job is not that easy”, she added.