Bihar extends job reservation to third gender

The Bihar government on Wednesday announced reservation in jobs to the third gender and set up a welfare board for them.

"The third gender will be provided reservation in government jobs and Bihar Rajya Kalyan Board will be set up soon," Bihar Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma made the announcement in the state assembly.

After the state government recognised eunuchs and transgenders as "the third gender" following the Supreme Court order last year, the latest move to provide reservation in government jobs is hoped to give them more opportunities to become part of the mainstream.

Last year, the state government recognised them as the third gender by putting them in the Annexure 11 of the Other Backward Classes category.

According to officials, the third gender was included in the Schedule 2 of the list of Backward Castes in Bihar and will be given reservation in government jobs according to the rules and regulations.