Govt mulls board on transgender issues

The ministry of social justice and empowerment will form a board to look into issues of transgender and hijras across the country.

In a meeting here on Tuesday, T R Meena, joint secretary said the ministry is entrusted with the responsibility to look into issues related to transgender and hijras and to coordinate with other ministries.

 “We are forming a board to look into such matters and people will be sensitised about the issues they face,” the officer said.

Over 300 people from both communities were present. Many shared their experiences on positive living, mainstreaming and legal rights.

J K Mishra, joint director, targeted intervention of Delhi State AIDS Control Society (DSACS) said: “We are going to start a separate targeted intervention for the transgender and hijras in every district of Delhi.”
Implementation

He added that it will be independently implemented by the community-based organisations and the society will ensure that members do not face problems in availing the government’s welfare schemes.

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a transgender activist pointed out that social schemes by the government are not implemented.

“Lack of proper documentation and identification proof has led to the exclusion of a large number of the community. We request the government to take initiatives to simplify the documentation process so that our community can avail their basic rights,” said Tripathi.