Dehradun: With the state cabinet clearing a proposal for the constitution of Uttarakhand transgenders persons welfare board, a survey will be soon launched to collect the data about the population of transgender persons in the hill state. Simultaneously, an effective mechanism will be developed to issue identity cards to transgender persons. There will also be special focus on the protection of rights of the transgenders.
The state cabinet, which cleared several proposals on Wednesday, has also paved the way for the constitution of Uttarakhand transgender persons welfare board. The board will be helpful in the protection of the rights of the transgender community in the state.
CM to head the board
While the chief minister will head the board, the secretaries of the social welfare, home, finance, personnel, urban development, Panchayati Raj departments will be members. The board will also accommodate five experts of transgender community and one representative of the community’s NGO as its members. The social welfare department will be the administrative department of the board.
Protection of the rights of transgenders by adopting the “Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons”
Following the constitution of the board, the state government is also supposed to protect the rights of transgenders by adopting the “Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons”, a policy which the union ministry of social justice and empowerment has framed recently.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
In December 2019, the Government of India passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, which for the first time extended constitutional rights to persons identifying as transgender. Subsequently, the union ministry of social justice and empowerment framed the policy “Equal Opportunities Policy for Transgender Persons”. The primary objective of the policy is to create an atmosphere that ensures the fair treatment of transgender individuals, free from discrimination, harassment, and bias.
Develop effective mechanism to protect the rights of transgenders
Although the district magistrate can issue identity cards to the transgender persons currently in Uttarakhand, the proposed Uttarakhand transgenders persons welfare board is set to develop effective mechanisms to protect the rights of transgenders. Apart from establishing a grievance redressal mechanism, the board will also introduce new schemes for the socio-educational empowerment of the transgenders.
