The Patna High Court on Wednesday directed the Government to ensure that the persons belonging to the Transgender community are not deprived of food grains distributed under the social security schemes, solely for not possessing a ration card.
“All policies framed and instructions issued by the Government, be it Central or State, shall be implemented in letter and spirit and no member of the transgender community shall be deprived of his Ration only on account of such status or not possessing the Ration Card,” the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice S Kumar directed.
While highlighting the plight of transgender persons, petitioner Veera Yadav said:
The transgender persons in Bihar were unable to access food because of the lack of ration cards. The plea sought immediate 25 kg ration support and cash assistance of Rs. 5000/- per month for at least a period of 6 months to the Transgender community in the state.
Government Advocate Ajay however apprised the court that the Government of Bihar had already taken a decision of distributing food grains to all who are otherwise eligible and entitled to, even if they do not possess the Ration Card.
Appreciating the “proactive” approach of Advocate Ajay, the bench observed, “no further orders are required to be passed in the application.”
It was added,
“It shall be open for the petitioner to invite attention of the authorities towards any further difficulty which any transgender may be facing in the State of Bihar and we are sure that Shri Ajay, learned Government Advocate, at his own level would be able to persuade the authorities, particularly when we find that, at this point in time, the Government of Bihar has taken adequate measures in meeting with the immediate requirements of the members of the transgender community residing in different parts of Bihar.”
The court has made it incumbent upon the Government Counsel to ensure that the services reach transgender persons in Bihar.
The matter will now come up on June 22
Read the Order here:
