To ensure better educational and skill development opportunities for third gender, the Maharashtra government has formed a Transgender Welfare Board in the state. The Board will provide formal education, employment opportunities, conduct health programmes and give legal help to the community. Maharashtra Social Justice Minister Rajkumar Badole recently held a meeting in Mantralaya for the setting up of the transgender welfare board.
Badole said transgenders are neglected in society and there were misunderstandings pertaining to the community among people. “Hence, they are discriminated against. This keeps the community away from the development process. The state government has accepted guardianship of this community and we will protect their rights,” Badole said.
“We have set up the transgender welfare board which will take effective measures for the upliftment of the community and allow them to live with respect in society,” he said.
He said the TWB will give members of the community identity cards which will help them obtain education, adding that they would be given scholarships for Class X exams.
The board would implement skill development programmes to help educated transgenders get jobs, he said.