Transgenders received identity cards from Bengal Govt, will be eligible to apply for police job

The government of West Bengal has announced that transgender individuals will now be eligible to apply for the post of constables in the police force. Shashi Panja, the State Minister for Women, Child, and Social Welfare Department, made the announcement on Wednesday and stated that the recruitment form for the post of constable will now include a third gender option.

The decision was made during a cabinet meeting and the government also announced that jobs will be reserved for transgenders in the police force. Additionally, a separate ward for transgender individuals in hospitals is being established. This announcement has been welcomed by representatives of the transgender community who were also issued with government certificates and identity cards during the same event.

Previously, individuals who had converted to the religion in the state were facing issues in obtaining government certificates, which are crucial for accessing government services and jobs. The certificates were finally issued under the Central Transgender Rights Protection Act, 2019, and Women and Child Welfare and Industry Minister Shashi Panja distributed them to the transgenders of the state at Rabindra Sadan on Wednesday.

The certificate application process involves submitting a copy of the affidavit and old Aadhaar card on the portal of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The certificate is then issued by the District Collector or District Magistrate. So far, 14 individuals have been issued with certificates in the state.