Patna: The Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) has launched a Transgender Helpline to provide legal aid, facilitate access to government welfare schemes and assist transgender individuals in resolving legal and administrative issues.
The helpline was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, during a programme in Patna on Saturday.
A key part of the event was an interaction between the Chief Justice and representatives of the transgender community. Justice Surya Kant heard issues concerning the community for around 10 minutes.
Reshma Prasad Highlights Certification Issues
Social activist Reshma Prasad apprised the Chief Justice of the legal, administrative and social challenges faced by transgender individuals and requested steps to address them.
She particularly highlighted difficulties faced over the past year in the issuance of transgender certificates, saying that identity and certification processes should protect rights rather than create unnecessary procedural difficulties.
Prasad also raised issues concerning non-binary, genderqueer and gender non-conforming individuals. She called for appropriate guidelines to bring such individuals within the relevant identity and certification framework while respecting self-identification and protecting them against the imposition of a gender identity.
PAN Card Changes And Access To Welfare Schemes
The discussion also covered difficulties related to changing names and gender details on PAN cards.
Prasad emphasised the need for effective implementation of procedures allowing transgender individuals to update these details on the basis of transgender certificates.
She also sought better access to government schemes and protection of transgender individuals’ rights in areas including education, healthcare, housing, employment and social security, as well as the right to live with dignity.
Permanent Lok Adalat Functioning Also Raised
Prasad, who serves as a Judicial Member of the Permanent Lok Adalat, also raised issues concerning its functioning before the Chief Justice.
She requested consideration of a more regular and effective system rather than limiting proceedings to sporadic “sittings”, with the objective of making speedy and accessible justice more readily available to ordinary citizens.
Three Para-Legal Volunteers To Run Helpline
Three para-legal volunteers — Anupriya Singh, Shivangi Soni and Kusum Kumari — have been selected to operate the transgender helpline and assist members of the community.
The volunteers will hear grievances and help connect individuals with appropriate legal and administrative authorities.
They will also assist eligible transgender individuals in accessing welfare schemes and services offered by the state and central governments.
Judiciary And Legal Services Officials Attend
The programme was attended by the Chief Justice and judges of the Patna High Court, along with officials of the Bihar State Legal Services Authority.
Those present included BSLSA Member Secretary Purushottam Mishra, Joint Secretary Avinash Pandey and Assistant Registrar Siya Shruti, besides senior officials associated with the judiciary and legal services institutions.
The launch provides an additional institutional mechanism for transgender individuals in Bihar to seek legal assistance, information about their rights and support in accessing government welfare schemes.
