Transgender bill to get push, SC/ST category not to get benefit in lateral entry

NEW DELHI: The Transgender Persons (protection of rights) bill will receive a major push in the upcoming Monsoon Parliament session, Social Justice and Empowerment minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said on Tuesday. The minister was speaking at an event highlighting the achievements of the ministry in the last four years.The bill was initially tabled in August 2016.

A parliamentary committee and various rights groups had suggested changes be made to the bill which was tabled. On the benefits of reservation for scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, private sector specialists hired for the posts of joint secretary may not get benefits, said Gehlot.

Recently, the Union Personnel Ministry had recently advertised 10 posts of joint secretaries in select government departments through "lateral entry" mode - which allows specialists in private sectors to work with the government on a temporary basis. The lateral entry posts would be for a contract of three years. Based on the performance, it can be extended up to five years. The eligibility is one needs to be at least 40 years of age."The 10 posts are temporary. The government is committed to ensure implementation of reservation on permanent posts," said Gehlot.

The Centre had asked all departments and the state governments to implement reservation in promotion for employees belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories. The Supreme Court allowed the government to implement reservation to promote its employees in the SC and ST category.