Karnataka has become the first state to provide 1% reservation to the transgender community in all government services. The High court was submitted a report by the authorities in which it was informed that a notification was issued after the amendment of the Karnataka Civil Service(General Recruitment) Rule, 1997.
The final notification, which was issued on July 6, states that in all general as well as in reserved categories for the third gender 1 percent reservation will be provided to the transgender categories. According to the notification, in all the applications, another column will be added named ‘others’ along with male and female gender columns.
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In addition to this, the state has also added that no discrimination should be done against the process of selection. The notification also says that in case of non-availability of transgender candidates, the job can be given to the male or female category for the same.
An NGO, named ‘Sangama’ had filed a petition in the high court questioning the denial of job opportunities in the State Special Reserve Constable Force and Bandsman postings. The case was heard by the chief justice A.S Oka on Tuesday.
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Vijay Kumar Patil informed the Bench that the authorities have provided the one percent horizontal reservation in the government recruitments by bringing changes to the current rule. A senior advocate, Jayna Kothari had also submitted a petition from ‘Jeeva’ NGO and argued that that the current change accommodates the third gender in the government services.
However, directions should be given to ensure job opportunities, in a lot of corporations and boards, she told. To this, the High Court Division Bench informed her that, if a separate petition is filed in this regard, it would be marked as giving direction to the government.
The bench has asked the Union authorities to specify their stand on this matter. The High Court welcomed and praised the step taken by the government.