Jharkhand to Conduct Statewide Survey to Support Transgender Community

In an effort to ensure transgenders benefit from government initiatives, Jharkhand’s Chief Secretary, Alka Tiwari, has mandated a state-wide survey. The decision was made during a recent meeting of the Jharkhand Transgender Welfare Board at Project Bhavan. The primary goal of the survey is to understand the transgender population’s distribution across districts, identify their specific requirements, and assess their aspirations. This data will be crucial for allocating funds and providing tailored support. It will also facilitate their integration into existing welfare programs. The meeting revealed that the transgender community often hesitates to disclose their identity, which prevents them from accessing vital services such as identification documents, reservation benefits, pension schemes, and healthcare programs like Ayushman cards. To combat this, the Chief Secretary has called for the rapid formation of district-level committees, to be headed by Deputy Commissioners. Furthermore, the Board will establish a “Transgender Support Unit” to address challenges faced by the community and offer solutions. According to the 2011 census, India’s transgender population is nearly half a million, with over 13,000 individuals in Jharkhand. The government, through the Transgender Welfare Board, implements various welfare schemes to support this community. The Board assists different departments in creating and implementing programs for transgenders. Present at the Board meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, were high-ranking officials including the Home Secretary, the Secretary of Social Welfare, the Finance Secretary and the Rural Development Secretary.