A survey will be conducted to find out the actual number of transgender persons in Uttarakhand. Along with this, an effective mechanism will also be created to issue identity cards to transgenders. These steps will be taken after the formation of Uttarakhand Transgender Persons Welfare Board. Not only this, a policy will also be made to provide equal opportunity in employment to transgender persons. In view of the protection of the rights of the transgender community, the proposal to form Uttarakhand Transgender Persons Welfare Board in the state was given the green signal in the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday. The Social Welfare Department will be the administrative department of this board. The chairman of the board will be the Chief Minister, while the secretaries of various departments including Social Welfare, Home, Finance, Personnel, Urban Development, Panchayati Raj, five experts from the transgender community and a representative of their non-governmental organization will be nominated as members of the board. After the formation of the board, it will adopt the rules issued by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and take steps to secure the rights of transgender persons. Under this, a survey will be conducted in view of the number of transgender persons in the state. Not only this, the system of giving them identity cards will be made effective. Although, at present the District Magistrate has the right to provide this identity card and some places have also been given, but the board will work to create an effective mechanism for this.
The board will work towards facilitating the access of transgender persons to the welfare schemes of the government. Along with this, it will also review the existing social, educational and health schemes in the light of transgender persons. At the same time, it will emphasize on making new schemes sensitive and non-discriminatory towards transgenders. Apart from this, an effective monitoring system will also be created to redress the grievances of transgender persons and monitor the complaints. A time limit will be fixed for investigation and resolution of complaints.
Formation of the board will give rights
In view of the protection of the interests of the transgender community in the state, the demand for the formation of a welfare board was being raised by the organizations of this community for a long time. Although, the exercise of formation of Uttarakhand Transgender Persons Welfare Board was going on since the year 2020, but it was stuck due to various reasons. On Wednesday, the cabinet gave the green signal to the proposal related to this placed by the Social Welfare. After the board is formed, it will take steps towards policy formulation and implementation on issues related to transgender.
