Karnataka becomes first State to provide 1 percent reservation for Transgender persons in public employment

The Karnataka government on Tuesday informed that Karnataka High Court that it has made provision for one percent horizontal reservation for transgender persons in government employment, the first State to do so in the India..A Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj was informed that amendments have been made to the Karnataka Civil Services General Recruitment (Rules), 1977 for effecting the reservation. ."We have perused the amendments made by the State government to Karnataka Civil Services General Recruitment (Rules), 1977 by the Karnataka Civil Services Recruitment Amendment (Rules), 2021 by incorporating sub rule 1 (D) in rule 9. Clause 1 D provides for one percent horizontal reservation for transgenders," the Court recorded in its order. .The Court was hearing a plea seeking horizontal reservation for transgender persons in public employment..The Division Bench was further informed by the counsel appearing for the Central government that the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has submitted a report recommending reservation for transgender persons and accordingly, directions were issued to the State government in this regard. .Reservation for Transgender persons to be provided in State Police Constable recruitment: State Government informs Karnataka HC.The said report of the NCBC as well as the statement of objections will be placed before the Court within 2 weeks, the Court was further informed.Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari appearing for the intervenor, Jeeva, an association for transgender persons, told the Court that an application would be made for issuing notices to other public authorities in the State so that directions can be issued to them to provide reservation in employment for transgender persons. .Karnataka HC seeks State govt response in plea for Horizontal Reservation for Transgender persons.As the hearing came to a close, Kothari said, "This is the first State in the country which implemented and provided reservations to transgenders. Really a very important development.....My learned friend, VijayaKumar Patil....we have to congratulate my friend for pushing this.""All because of the directions of this Court," Patil replied. .[Read State Affidavit]