In a major decision in election year, theShivraj Singh Chouhancabinet on Tuesday approved inclusion oftransgendersin the OBC list of Madhya Pradesh. Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, minister for medical Education Vishwas Sarang said, “Recently, The Supreme Court recognized transgenders as the third gender and directed that the community should be given reservation benefits in educational institutions and appointments.
The state had 93 castes and communities as part of the OBC list in Madhya Pradesh. Today, the cabinet approved including transgenders as the 94th community on the list ofOBCs.”
This means transgenders can now apply for jobs and admission in educational institutions in MP under the 14% quota allocated for OBCs. There are approximately 30,000 transgenders in the state. The OBCMahasabhais fuming at this decision.
Kushwaha said that according to the 2011 census, MP has 51.5% OBC Population. “While the general category gets 50% jobs, reservation for scheduled castes is 16% and scheduled tribes is 20%.
OBCs are the largest population but get only 14% reservation. We condemn this move by the BJP government and will move court. If the government wants, let it give reservation rights to transgenders separately and not cut into our small portion,” he said.
.