Transgenders: Centre silent on PIL

Meanwhile,as asked,Advocate Gurminder Singh,who was appointed amicus curiae in the case on the last date of hearing today,filed a separate petition.

Gurminder has sought directions to the states of Punjab,Haryana and Chandigarh to not discriminate against transgenders in the matters of appointment to public posts.

He has also sought directions to frame a policy to provide for appropriate guidelines to ensure equality and dignity in public employment and work environment for transgender people.

Gurminder has also demanded provision of adequate facilities,such as health care,to transgender people and creation of public awareness so as to ensure that they are not discriminated against.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Ranjan Gogoi has issued notices to the three states. The development took place during the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by a eunuch Kajal Mangal Mukhi,resident of Sector 35,Chandigarh.

It might be remembered that though the states of Punjab and Haryana had decided to grant reservation to eunuchs in government jobs by creating a category of “transgender”,the Central government is yet to take a final decision. The case has been adjourned to January 18,2011.