Arrange Finances For Transgenders' Shelter Homes In The State Of Assam: Gauhati High Court To State Govt

The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday (April 29) directed the Social Welfare Department of the State Government to make arrangement for finances for three shelter homes situated in the State of Assam.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak remarked,

"At least an interim arrangement be made so that at least for the next two months these shelter homes can run properly."

The Court was presiding over a PIL which largely pertained to an issue relating to shelter homes in Assam which are three in numbers, one at Kamrup (Metro), another at Dhubri District, and the third is at Bongaigaon. These are the shelter homes for members of the transgender community.

The problem highlighted in the petition was that these shelter homes were starving of funds and it was submitted that each shelter home has a monthly expense of around Rs.15 lakh each.

The PIL has been filed by the All Assam Transgender Association, stating that the funds for the year financial 2020-2021 to be released for the welfare of the transgender community in Assam were not released in proper time and, therefore, the same has lapsed with the end of the financial year.

Earlier, the Gauhati High Court had sought a response from the Assam Government on a petition alleging the failure of the state authorities to maintain shelter homes for the transgender community.

It was submitted before the Court that although recommendations of the Social Welfare Department in the past for financing the shelter homes had been around Rs. 2 crores and more, the Finance Department had always raised an objection, and the budget had been sanctioned for Rs.1.60 crores or near about.

"Even the amount which has been sanctioned and approved by the Finance Department has not been released," noted the Court.

Lastly, the Court directed that a detailed proposal by the Social Welfare Department and the opinion or objection, if any, of the Finance Department may be taken so that these shelter homes can run.

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