PATNA: Taking a progressive social initiative, the Bihar government on Wednesday announced reservation for the third gender in government jobs and setting up of a welfare board specifically for them.
“The third gender will be provided reservation in government jobs and Bihar Rajya Kalyan Board will be set up soon,” Bihar Social Welfare Minister Manju Verma announced in the State Assembly. After the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in 2014, the State government had recognised eunuchs and transgenders as “the third gender”. Last year, it formally recognised them as the third gender by placing them in Annexure 11 of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
The third gender was included in Schedule 2 of the list of Backward Castes in Bihar and will be given reservation in government jobs according to the prescribed rules and regulations. “The reservation would also be extended to admissions in educational institutions,” Verma informed the State Assembly. The third gender community welcomed the State’s decision to give them quota in government jobs. In fact, the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry has come up with the Rights of Transgender Persons Bill to help them lead a dignified life.
Meanwhile, the State Assembly passed a Bill prohibiting sale of country-made liquor in the State from Friday. MLAs, cutting across party lines, vowed to stay away from liquor and inspire others. Under the new law, those found brewing or selling illicit liquor may even get the death penalty. The Nitish Kumar government also wants to ban Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) after six months.