Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the state government to provide a separate gender option for transgenders in civil services exam applications conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission, citing the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.
The commission, led by Justice Satrughna Pujahari, has also instructed the government to reserve at least 1% of jobs for transgenders and extend the application deadline for the upcoming OPSC exam by 15 days to ensure transgenders can apply.
The directive comes after a transgender person, Sony Sil, approached the commission, alleging she was unable to apply for OPSC jobs due to lack of a transgender option in the application form.
“This Commission has received this complaint from one Sony Sil, who identified herself as a Transgender individual alleging discrimination and violation of their fundamental right due to non-inclusion of ‘Third Gender/Transgender’ category in the form of ensuing Odisha Combined Civil Services examination conducted by the Odisha Public Service Commission. The case of the complainant is that omission of the ‘Third Gender/Transgender’ in the online application form prevents Third Gender/Transgender’ like the complaint from applying and participating in the examination on an equal footing thereby constituting discriminatory treatment infringing upon their rights to equality and non-discrimination”, read the OHRC order addressed to the Odisha Government’s General Administration Department and Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability Department.
The OHRC order further read:“ Taking note of the aforesaid, this Commission disposes of the complaint with recommendation to the Government of Odisha in the General Administration and Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Departments, Odisha to (i) consider inclusion of “Third Gender/Transgender” as a gender option in the job applications of the Government (ii) to make at least 1% reservation horizontally for them and direct all the recruiting Boards, Authorities including OPSC to do the same.”
“This Commission recommends the Government of Odisha in the General Administration Department to consider the same as a at the earliest by making a request to OPSC to allow such ‘Third Gender/Transgender’ gender option and extend the date for at least 15(fifteen) days more for them”, the Commission’s order maintained.
The commission’s order is seen as a milestone for transgender rights in the state, ensuring their dignity and development.
