Karnataka becomes first state to give reservation for transgender community in govt services

In a positive development for the transgender community in Karnataka, the state government has become the first state in the country to provide one per cent reservation for them all the government services.

The Karnataka government led by BS Yediyurappa submitted a report to the High Court in this regard informing that a notification had already been issued after amending the Karnataka Civil Service (General Recruitment) Rule, 1977 and the case was heard by the High Court Divisional Bench headed by the Chief Justice A.S. Oka heard the case on Tuesday (July 20).

The final notification issued on July 6, specifies one per cent reservation in all general as well as reserve categories for the third gender.

Whenever a notification is published inviting applications for the government jobs, ‘others’ column must be added along with male and female columns. The notification also underlines that there should not be any discrimination to the transgenders in the process of selection.

However, if there is a non-availability of transgender candidates, the job could be given to males or females from the same category, the notification notes.

‘AN NGO named Sangama had filed a Public Interest Petition (PIL) in the High Court seeking justice for the transgender community and the denial of job opportunities in the State Special Reserve Constable Force and Bandsman postings.

The lawyer for the government, Vijay Kumar Patil, informed the Bench that the government has provided the one per cent horizontal reservation in government recruitments by bringing amendment to the existing rule.

The High Court Divisional Bench has made it very clear that if a separate petition is filed in this regard, it would consider giving directions to the government and asked the counsel appearing for the Central government to specify its stand on the matter and welcomed and commended the action of the government.

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