Bihar announces quotas for third gender candidates in govt jobs

The government of Bihar has announced reservations for candidates from the the third gender community in government jobs, a move welcomed by transgenders as a leveler. M I Khan/ Rediff.com report from Patna.

The Bihar government on Wednesday announced reservations in government jobs for eunuchs and transgenders, whom it had recognised as the third gender last year.

The state government will also set up a welfare board for the people belonging to third gender.

Bihar Social Welfare minister Manju Verma announced in the state assembly that government has decided to provide reservations for the third gender in government jobs and to set up a welfare board for them.

Last year, the state government had recognised eunuchs and transgenders as the third gender following a Supreme Court order, putting them in annexure 11 of the Other Backward Classes category.

According to officials, the third gender was included in Schedule 2 of the list of the Backward Castes in Bihar and will be given reservation in government jobs according to the rules and regulations.

Members of the third gender community have welcomed the state government’s move.

Lalan Guru, who has been fighting for the rights of transgenders in Bihar for decades, said the government’s decision will help them become part of the mainstream.

Suman, a person belonging to the third gender, says, “It will give us a sense of dignity and respect in society. Till date, we are deprived of social dignity and respect and treated as something alien. Reservation in jobs will help us get rid of them.”