Gehlot discusses Transgender Persons Bill with stakeholders

Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot today held a meeting with concerned ministries, legal experts and representatives of transgender community, while promising a "conducive environment" for the community in the country.
Presiding over a pre-legislative consultation meeting on the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill 2015 here, the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment assured that the suggestions given by the stakeholders for the welfare of transgender persons will be duly considered and implemented through the respective state governments.
"The Central government will try to create a conducive environment for the community at various levels so that they can be brought into the mainstream," he said.

Various issues relating to stigma and discrimination of transgender persons, including children in the community, schools, colleges and at work place etc were discussed.
Other issues that were deliberated upon were establishment of a Welfare Board for Transgender Persons at national and state levels for effective implementation of the provisions of Bill and to act as a grievance redressal mechanism.
"Members also felt that various legislations pertaining to violence and abuse should also be extended to the transgender persons which would go a long way in securing justice for this vulnerable community," said a statement issued by the Ministry.

As per the draft Bill, transgenders who by birth do not belong to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes may be declared as Backward Class and would be entitled for reservation under the existing ceiling of OBC category. Those who by birth belong to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, would be entitled for reservation under their respective categories as per the existing rules.

Transgenders will be declared as the third gender and will have the option to identify as 'man', 'woman' or transgender'. Only the nomenclature 'transgender' will be used and 'other or 'others' will not be used.
"Also, transgenders would be issued a proper certificate for their identity by a state-level authority duly designated or constituted by respective state or UT on the lines of Tamil Nadu Aravanis Welfare Board," Gehlot said.
The certificate issued will have to be acceptable to all authorities for indicating the gender on official documents like ration card, passport, birth certificate, aadhaar card, etc.
In the education sector, the institutions and universities will be establishing an anti-discrimination cell to monitor any form of discrimination against the transgender community.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla was also present in the consultation meeting.