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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt asks dept to include ‘transgender' in gender category
Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards inclusivity, the state govt has directed all departments to incorporate "Transgender" as a distinct gender category in application forms for recruitment to various govt positions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This directive was communicated through a letter from the department of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities (SSEPD). The letter, penned by SSEPD secretary RS Gopalan, emphasises the importance of non-discrimination against transgender persons in employment, as outlined in the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. Gopalan highlighted the need for all relevant examination rules to be updated to align with the Act's provisions, ensuring that transgender individuals are recognised as a separate category in recruitment processes. "All departments of the Government of Odisha are requested to modify the relevant examination rules to include 'Transgender' as a separate gender category in application forms for state govt posts," the letter states. It further instructs that any form or application, whether online or in hard copy, must provide an option for applicants to identify as transgender. The SSEPD department has requested that all departments report back on the actions taken to implement these changes. The transgender community has welcomed the decision of the govt. "It is a fight for over 30 years. It is a great win for the transgender community. We thanked the govt for this historic decision," Meghna Sahoo, a member of the transgender community, said.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dept plans shelter homes for transgender community
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities (SSEPD) department has prepared a plan for the construction of shelter homes in districts for the transgender community. During a meeting held on July 23, officials discussed Sweekruti, a scheme for the promotion of transgender equality and justice. A five-year action plan and tentative budget under different programme components of the Sweekruti scheme were proposed for the financial years from 2025-26 to 2029-30, according to minutes of the meeting shared by the department on Wednesday. "The construction of transgender shelter homes in districts may be provisioned for from any suitable scheme of the department where the transgender population is more or education, vocation and employment opportunities are most sought after," read the minutes. Official sources said the proposed shelter homes will accommodate destitute and abandoned transgender people and provide them basic amenities like food, medical care and recreational facilities. Besides, the shelter homes will provide support for the capacity-building/skill development of transgender people. Officials also suggested the creation of self-help groups (SHGs) for the transgender community for better appreciation of the rights of equality and optimum delivery of scheme benefits. Banks may be roped in by the district administrations for facilitating loans after proper assessment of skills such as driving, geriatric care and making incense sticks, the minutes stated. "The sensitisation of society at college, vocational institutions/public offices, service centres along with the provision of stalls and activities during govt functions, local gatherings, festivals and melas may be taken up on a wider scale for the community," the minutes added.
