Divisional commissioner urges action for transgender welfare

Nagpur: Divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari on Monday directed district officials to fast-track welfare measures for the transgender community, implementing the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act and resolving long-pending civic and legal issues affecting third-gender individuals.Chairing a review meeting of the Divisional Vigilance and Monitoring Committee, Bidari instructed authorities to launch special drives for issuing ration cards, Aadhaar IDs and voter identity cards to transgender citizens. She emphasised that govt schemes must actively include the community and proposed housing be provided to them under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.Stressing their dignity and inclusion, Bidari asked all districts to identify and resolve land disputes related to crematoriums for the transgender population and instructed that separate health facilities be created for them in govt hospitals. She also called for setting up help centres at police stations in areas where transgender individuals reside in large numbers to ensure access to grievance redressal.On broader community inclusion, the commissioner directed education authorities and district administrations to promote awareness of the Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act among youth. She suggested colleges conduct focused campaigns to instill legal literacy and societal responsibility in students.The meeting also addressed SC/ST Atrocities Act implementation, with Bidari directing timely investigation and disposal of pending cases. So far, 7,079 out of 8,610 cases registered under the Act in the region have been resolved, with Rs68.97 crore disbursed as financial aid.Social Justice Department's regional deputy commissioner Dr Siddharth Gaikwad presented a detailed report on atrocity cases. District collector Dr Vipin Itankar, senior police officers Prashant Sakhare, Dr Abhijit Patil, Dr Ashok Bagul, assistant commissioner Sukeshini Telgote and other committee members were present.