Third gender welfare board receives cautious welcome

PUNE: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) activists in the city welcomed the state’s announcement on the formation of the third gender welfare board, but opined the decision came after a four-anda-half-year wait.

On Friday, social justice minister Rajkumar Badola had announced the formation of the board that will distribute ID cards to members of the community, extend scholarships and even provide housing benefits.

Bindumadhav Khire, president of the Samapathik Trust and an LGBTI activist, said while the board will definitely help the community, the announcement ahead of the Lok Sabha elections could be a possible poll gimmick. “The state should have formed this welfare board earlier,” he told TOI. “I had given a presentation to the women and child development minister in the previous government and since then, we have been waiting for the announcement,” he said. Khire, however, added that the board could help the members of the community earn a decent livelihood.


LGBTI activist Poonam Khandale added unless there is adequate representation from the community, the board will not serve the purpose. “I hope the board member appointments are not deferred after the elections, as it would be a long wait then,” said another member of the third gender community. Khire too felt that without quick appointments and execution of the announcement, the benefits will not reach beneficiaries.

The minister, in his announcement, had said transgenders are one of the most neglected section of the society and are being discriminated against because of ignorance. He said it was the responsibility of the state to take steps for the betterment of this class. As per rough estimates, there are more than 10lakh third-gender individuals in the state.