Insurance Cover For Sex Re-Assignment Surgery; Setting Up Of Shelter Home For Transgender Persons Under Consideration: Chandigarh Admin to High Court

The Administration also told the court that a scheme for provision of insurance cover for sex re-assignment surgery is also being deliberated upon and that active steps are being taken by Transgender Welfare Board to advertise the various benefits available and the location at which they could be availed.

The submissions were made before the bench of Justice Sudhir Mittal in a writ petition filed by a transgender student, pursuing a post-graduate course at Panjab University, who was aggrieved by the non-availability of proper hostel accommodation in the University.

Although the transgender student was eventually provided accommodation at the Working Women's Hostel, the court on November 16 had noted that the larger issue of discrimination still remained to be addressed.

The Court had then observed that the petitioner had earlier submitted complaints in this regard to the UT Administration, but no relief was granted, which led to the Court stressing that, "it was essential to ensure that bodies such as the Transgender Welfare Board of UT acquire teeth and do not remain cosmetic features."

The Court had then also reviewed the working of the Transgender Welfare Board, Chandigarh and noted that though it had been constituted prior to the passing of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, it had held a total of only seven meetings.

Accordingly, the High Court had asked Chairman of the Transgender Welfare Board to remain presented before it on December 15. Amit Kumar, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, holding the charge of Chairman of the Transgender Welfare Board, was present before the court during the hearing last week.

Kumar assured the court that "in future meetings of the Transgender Welfare Board shall be held quarterly."

As for the relief to the petitioner, Justice Mittal noted that:

"Since the petitioner has already been granted accommodation in the working women hostel, the writ petition has been rendered infructuous and is disposed of as such."

Case Title: Yashika Alias Ashish v. Panjab University, Chandigarh and Others

Citation: Civil Writ Petition No.5782 of 2022

Coram: Justice Sudhir Mittal

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