Assam CM announces OBC status for trans community; reservation for Anganwadi workers

In a landmark move for gender minorities, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the transgender community in the state will be granted Other Backward Class (OBC) status. The decision, aimed at ensuring greater access to education, employment, and welfare benefits, was made during a ceremonial event in Guwahati.

“We have decided to provide OBC status to members of the transgender community so they can avail benefits across various sectors,” Sarma stated while addressing the gathering. The move is expected to help transgender individuals benefit from government schemes and opportunities, marking a significant step forward in recognising and addressing the challenges faced by the community.

Sarma also announced that 50% of supervisor-level posts under the Women and Child Development Department will now be reserved for Anganwadi workers, at the event. These positions, under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, are a step up from the grassroots roles that Anganwadi workers currently hold.

The CM said the decision was a way of acknowledging the vital contributions made by Anganwadi workers in delivering early childhood care, nutrition, and community welfare services.

The announcements were made during a ceremonial distribution of appointment letters to newly recruited supervisors and other frontline staff. The new policies are expected to be implemented in the upcoming recruitment cycles, marking a significant shift in Assam’s approach to gender and social equity in governance.