The Gauhati High Court recently directed the Director of the Social Welfare Department (Assam) to ensure that the office of the Transgender Welfare Board be operational by 23rd June,2023.
While hearing a PIL filed by the All-Assam Transgender Association (AATA), a division bench of Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Mitali Thakuria also directed the Assam Finance Department to ensure that the budget for establishing the Transgender Welfare Board office is released as soon as possible.
The counsel for the Social Welfare Department stated that a room has been identified in the Tritiyo Niwas run by an NGO, North East Voluntary Association of Rural Development (NEVARD), for the establishment of the Transgender Welfare Board’s office.
It was also stated that a fund of Rs 6 lakhs has been approved for the office, but it is still pending approval from the Finance Department.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on 23rd June, 2023.
