Soreng district reviews implementation of SC/ST and Transgender Protection Acts
The meeting acknowledged key challenges in implementation such as lack of community awareness, occasional misuse of legal provisions, and inadequate training among officials.
LOCAL
A joint review meeting to assess the implementation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, was convened today at the District Administrative Centre, Soreng. The meeting was chaired by ADC-I Mr. D.R. Bista.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Bista highlighted the key objectives of both Acts, focusing on the prevention of atrocities, discrimination, and safeguarding the rights of SC/ST and transgender individuals. He underlined the legal provisions related to victim protection, enforcement responsibilities, and judicial processes.
The meeting acknowledged key challenges in implementation such as lack of community awareness, occasional misuse of legal provisions, and inadequate training among officials. To address these issues, the house recommended regular training for police and judiciary personnel, public outreach initiatives, fast-track courts, and formation of monitoring committees.
On the Transgender Persons Act, discussions centred on ensuring protection from discrimination in education, healthcare, employment, and the right to self-identified gender. Challenges such as difficulty in obtaining identity certificates and social stigma were noted.
Decisions taken included appointing a nodal officer for transgender welfare, organising sensitisation workshops in educational institutions, and conducting biannual review meetings with transgender community representation.