Odisha Govt brings policy to give equal opportunities to transgenders

Bhubaneswar: To ensure that transgenders are not subjected to any form of discrimination in the society, Odisha Government has come up with a new policy to provide equal opportunities to the Third Gender in various fields.

An official notification on the policy has been issued by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disability Department.

“The department concerned will provide equal employment opportunities, without any discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, sexual orientation, colour, disability, marital status, nationality, race and religion,” the notification read.

Through the policy, the department in accordance with the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and Central Rules, 2020 will make sure that work environment is free from any discrimination against transgenders. Further, the department will take all actions to ensure that a conducive environment is provided to people belonging to TG community to perform their role and excel in the same.

The policy also mandates that the head of department act on the enquiry report submitted by the complaint officer within 15 days of its submission.

The department will build systems and process to ensure:

1. Transgenders are not be discriminated in terms of any position, training, promotion, transfer posting level.
2. That no opportunity is denied to transgenders, merely on ground of sexual orientation. Transgenders should contact the complaint officer in any given location. Any information obtained is voluntary, will be kept confidential, and will be used in accordance with applicable laws. Refusal to provide information will not subject an employee or applicant to any adverse treatment. Employees and applicants will be protected from coercion, information, interference, discrimination or relation for filling a complaint or assisting in an investigation under the Act.
3. Department shall designate one officer as Complaint Officer for redressal of complaints/ grievances of the Third Gender.
4. Facilities and amenities shall be provided to transgenders to enable them discharge their duties in the department effectively
5. The complaint officer shall enquire into the complaints received within fifteen days from the date of receipt of such complaints.
6. The head of Department shall take action on the enquiry report submitted by the complaint officer within 15 days from the date of submission of the report
7. The Department shall take action forthwith in all cases where action has not been taken in accordance with the above time limits.

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