IT News
Imphal, Aug 6:
The exact number of transgender individuals in the state remains unknown, according to Social Welfare Minister H. Dingo, who responded to Congress MLA O. Surjakumar during today’s question hour in the ongoing state assembly session. Minister Dingo explained that the assessment of the transgender population is part of the national census, which falls under item 69 of the Union List in the Constitution of India. To date, the Central Government has not conducted any enumeration of the transgender population.
Regarding steps taken by the State Transgender Welfare Board under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, Minister Dingo outlined several initiatives. He noted that during the board’s meeting on July 7, 2023, multiple recommendations for the welfare of the transgender community were made, and actions have been initiated based on these recommendations.
A key recommendation involved forming an Expert Committee to conduct surveys and collect data, including establishing Rape and Crisis Intervention Centres in schools. A basic survey began on July 15, 2024, and will continue until August 20, 2024, to ascertain the number of transgender individuals in the state.
Additionally, District Level Medical Boards have been established in seven district hospitals to provide assistance to transgender persons. The Home Department has set up Transgender Protection Cells at state and district levels, and Internal Complaint Committees have been formed to address workplace harassment. The government mandates that all social welfare schemes be inclusive of transgender individuals, ensuring their representation in existing programs and application forms.
