Dhanbad: The process of gathering information regarding the status of government facilities and rights for transgender students has begun. In this regard, the District Social Welfare Officer's office has sought a report from the District Education Officer (DEO) and District Education Superintendent (DSE) on various education-related points. Both officials have been directed to provide the stipulated information within two days.
According to a letter issued by the District Social Welfare Office, the Transgender Advisory Committee formed under a pending case in the Supreme Court has sought information regarding the actual status of welfare, rehabilitation homes, and social security facilities for transgender students. Under this, data is being collected based on a questionnaire prescribed by the states.
According to the Central Government, provisions related to the rights and welfare of transgender students include education, social security, health, and non-discrimination. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 provides for educational opportunities without any discrimination in government or recognized educational institutions.
The information sought at the district level includes the number of transgender students studying in government educational institutions and the number of beneficiaries of various government schemes. Additionally, data related to transmen, transwomen, non-binary, gender-queer, traditional socio-cultural identities, and intersex individuals has also been sought.
The report will also provide a category-wise description of various facilities and schemes available in the education sector. This will make it possible to assess the reach of government schemes and the status of available facilities for the concerned class in the district.
Information about facilities other than education
According to the letter from the Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security, the questionnaire is not limited to education alone. It also includes information related to social security, housing, shelter homes, counseling, and health facilities. Under the Central Government's Transgender Welfare Scheme, special emphasis has been laid on facilities like education, skill development, health, counseling, and safe shelter.
Information received from the Dhanbad District Social Welfare Office (DEO) and District Social Welfare Office (DSE) will be compiled. Thereafter, the data will be sent to the state level under the prescribed procedure, where it will be consolidated and made available at the central level. The objective of the information sought by the District Social Welfare Office is to assess the actual status of government facilities and schemes available for transgender persons.
