Gauhati High Court Directs State To Constitute Transgender Welfare Board Within Six Weeks

The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday directed the Assam Government to expedite the process of constitution of Transgender Welfare Board and complete the same within 6 weeks.

P. Nayak, the Standing Counsel, Finance placed on record a copy of the sanction letter dated June 26, 2023, as per which acting on the request of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, an amount of Rs.6,00,000 has been sanctioned as grant-in-aid for setting up the Office of the Transgender Welfare Board.

Swati B. Baruah, counsel appearing for All Assam Transgender Association, submitted that the procedure which has been laid out in the Assam State Policy for Transgender Persons is more or less satisfactory and once the Board becomes functional, many issues being faced by the transgender persons will be addressed.

The court further directed the Additional Government Advocate to take instructions regarding setting up of the Transgender Protection Cell under the DGP in accordance with Rule 11 (5) of the Rules promulgated vide notification dated September 25, 2020.

The matter is listed again on August 8.

Case Title: All Assam Transgender Association v. The State of Assam & 7 Ors.

Coram: The Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Devashis Baruah

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