Assam Cabinet’s Landmark Decision:Transgenders Given Socially and Educationally Backward Class Status

Assam probably is the only state in India to grant Socially and Educationally Backward class status to transgender people

The Assam Cabinet on Sunday took a landmark decision by declaring the transgender community residing in Assam as socially and educationally backward class. The state cabinet’s decision is in line with the direction of the Supreme Court.

Now, the transgender people will be provided identity cards by respective District Commissioners after ensuring that the applicants produce the proof of being original inhabitants of Assam. Addressing a press conference in Dispur post the Cabinet meeting which was held on Sunday, Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said “Today our cabinet has granted the status of socially and educationally backward class to the third gender, whom we call transgenders. But we will give identity cards to only those who are residents of Assam. This status won’t be enjoyed by those transgenders who are here for various works. It will only be enjoyed by those who are the original inhabitants.”

Tamil Nadu and Kerala were the first states to introduce a transgender welfare policy. West Bengal set up a transgender welfare board in 2015.

Himachal Pradesh has set up medical boards at the district and state level for assisting transgender people. A transgender board was established in Chandigarh on 22 August 2017.
In October 2017 the Karnataka Government issued the “State Policy for Transgenders, 2017”, with the aim of raising awareness of transgender people within all educational institutions in the state.
On 28 November 2017 N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, announced the enactment of pension plans for transgender people
In January 2018, Kashmir’s Finance Minister introduced a proposal to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that would grant transgender people free life and medical insurance, and a monthly sustenance pension for those aged 60+ and registered with the Social Welfare Department.
In July 2018 the Rajasthan Transgender Welfare Board (RTWB) announced issuing “multi-purpose identity cards” to about 75,000 transgender people in the state to help them access government schemes and benefits.
The Uttarakhand High Court directed the State Government in late September 2018 to provide reservation for transgender people in educational institutions, and to frame social welfare programmes for the betterment of transgender people.

In February 2019 the Maharashtra Government set up a “Transgender Welfare Board” to conduct health programmes and provide formal education and employment opportunities to transgender people.
In July 2019 the Bihar Government announced the creation of a transgender welfare board.
In August 2019 Madhya Pradesh announced setting up a welfare board for the transgender community .

Also read: 1 Week, 3 Assam Women Dies in 3 Different States; Probe on, Several Questions Remain Unanswered

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