State Govt to census of transgenders, provide voter cards

Kolkata, Nov 1: The West Bengal Transgender Development Board (WBTDB) is planning to conduct a census of transgenders across the state and make voter ID cards for them so that they can cast their votes. The chairperson of the board, who is also the Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare, said the government is trying to increase the visibility of the transgender community. Under the initiative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the State Government has already taken some measures. Representatives from this community were in the judges’ panel that went around the pandals selecting the best Durga Pujas in Kolkata. Three awards were also earmarked for the best transgender-friendly Durga Pujas in the city. The government is also planning awareness programmes on transgenders at the upper primary and secondary levels in the state schools. UNI