Govt Seeks Views of Paramilitary Forces on Inducting Transgenders as Officers

The union home ministry has started the process for recruiting transgender people in paramilitary forces and has asked the various branches - ITBP, CRPF, CISF, and SSB – under its ambit to share their views on the move.

A letter about starting recruitment at the level of officers was sent last month. On Wednesday, the MHA sent a reminder to forces after it received no response. At present, there is no provision of hiring transgender people in the central paramilitary forces or the Indian Army.

"The comments for incorporating the issues on transgenders as third gender along with male/female in the rules of CAPF (Central Armed Police Force) examination is yet to be received. Kindly examine the issue and furnish comments," an internal note from an MHA undersecretary to IGs (personnel) of CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and CISF said.

The examination for aide commandant level enrollment is probably going to be held in December this year. Authorities said the adjustments in the enlistment rules should be told before that if this change comes through. 

"This will be a strategic choice. Subsequent to taking perspectives on the DGs of the powers, MHA is probably going to ask DOPT to investigate the issue of revising enlistment rules. An ultimate conclusion will be at the political authority level," an authority with ITBP said. 

A senior official from CRPF said enrollment of transgender individuals won't make any issues at activities level. "Enlistment of ladies additionally started in



power a lot later and now it is extremely normal. In the event that administration needs to get the third sexual orientation it will be above and beyond," he said on solicitation of obscurity since an ultimate conclusion has not been taken. 

The MHA note has allowed CAPFs 24 hours to outfit their view, however, sources told that powers are as yet finishing their reaction and it will be imparted to MHA instantly.

The development comes after Parliament passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act came into effect from January this year.

"As per clause 14 of the Act, the appropriate Government shall formulate welfare schemes and programs to facilitate and support livelihood for transgender persons including their vocational training and self-employment," minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment Rattan Lal Kataria had stated in Lok Sabha.

The lawmaker also stated that during 2019-20, an amount of Rs 5 crore has been allocated for the welfare of transgender persons.

The minister has also stated that the transgender persons are entitled for all kinds of reservations such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Section (EWS) in cases of admission in educational institutions and for government jobs in their respective category.

Clause 9 of the Act states that no establishment can discriminate against any transgender person in any matter relating to employment or promotion.