Assam becomes 7th state to setup transgender welfare board

Assam has become the 7th state in the country to set up a Transgender Welfare Board. The Board is a quasi-judicial board which will be with the Social Welfare Department, however, it stands to enjoy autonomous powers for the welfare of the Transgender community.

The Transgender Welfare Board will have the powers for inquiry, investigation, take suo moto cognizance against discrimination meted to the Transgenders. Added importance has also been given towards inclusivity. To understand more of the development, Inside Northeast spoke to Swati Bidhan Baruah, Sr Advocate who will hold the position of Associate Vice-Chairperson of the Board.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, Baruah said, "Along with the legal measures we seek for better inclusivity by creating sensitivity towards the issue. For that, we will have sensitisation programs at village and district level and along with that we will check discrimination being netted out in offices". As for the economic well being of the community, the Baruah says, "skill development programs will be undertaken and those who are devoid of education will be brought under the purview of the education department".

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On the issue of limitations of the state as far as the general problems of the whole country, the senior advocates says, "for that the Transgender Law passed by the centre will take recourse".

The set-up of the Transgender Board might be a bit delayed but as the saying goes, "better late than never". Now, both the Transgender law and the state welfare board can potentially work in tandem to better the current conditions of the community. Even though, much will depend on implementation and government's will to address the further problems.

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