Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has swiftly reconstituted the State Transgender Welfare Board just two days after issuing an earlier notification, bringing a notable change in its leadership.
On April 21, 2026, the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) had issued Notification No. 4255, constituting the board. However, on April 23, the department requested the cancellation of the publication of that notification in the Odisha Gazette. The same day, it issued a fresh Notification No. 4407, superseding the previous one and reconstituting the board with immediate effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
The new board has been formed in exercise of the powers under Rule 10(1) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020, and in supersession of the April 21 notification.
The objective remains to ensure proper rehabilitation, welfare, and protection of the rights and best interests of transgender persons in the state as per the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
In the reconstituted board, the Minister of SSEPD has been appointed as Chairperson, while the Principal Secretary or Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the SSEPD Department will serve as Vice-Chairperson. The Director of the SSEPD Department has been designated as Member Secretary.
Other members include the Director General of Police, Additional Secretary of SSEPD, and representatives from various key departments such as Women & Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Housing & Urban Development, Skill Development & Technical Education, Higher Education, and School & Mass Education.
“In reference to this Department Notification No. 5241 of Dt. The 15th May, 2025 and in exercise of the powers conferred under Rules 10 (1) of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020, and supersession of this Department Notification No. 4255 of Dt. The 21st April, 2026 for Rehabilitation and Welfare of Transgender Persons in the State and to protect their best interest as per the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, the State Government of Odisha hereby constitutes the State Transgender Welfare Board”, read the notification.
