Bhubaneswar, May 17: In a major step towards inclusivity, the Odisha government has formally constituted the State Transgender Welfare Board to safeguard the rights and welfare of transgender individuals across the state. The initiative, announced by the Department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), is in line with the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and related 2020 rules.

The 15-member board will be chaired by SSEPD Minister Nityananda Gond, with the SSEPD Secretary as Vice-Chairman and the Department Director as Member Secretary. The board will also include officials from various departments, representatives from the transgender community, district collectors (on rotation), and NGOs.

The board’s key objectives include implementing welfare programs in education, employment, healthcare, and housing, while safeguarding transgender rights. It will conduct regular surveys, advocate for funding, and meet quarterly to monitor progress and propose new initiatives, ensuring sustained support for the transgender community in Odisha.

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