Civic body in Maharashtra lends helping hand to transgenders, hires them as security guards, green marshals

Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra has recently recruited over 30 transgender persons as security guards and green marshals

Till a few months ago, 23-year-old Shaina Roy, a trans-woman used to seek alms at shops and traffic signals, but life has taken a positive turn for her today as she passes by the same places to her workplace donning a uniform as an employee of Pimpri Chinchwad civic body near Pune.

Shaina Roy is among over 30 transgender persons, who were recently recruited by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) as security guards and green marshals, making it probably the first civic body in the State to offer employment opportunity to the members of this community, who are often denied equal rights.

Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Rajesh Patil recently took the decision to bring the members of these communities to the mainstream and help them lead a dignified life.

Talking to PTI about the initiative, Mr. Patil said that all know the transgender community faces a lot of problems in the society and is prone to abuse and exploitation.

"In order to bring them to the mainstream and provide a dignified life to them, we have undertaken some measures. As per one of the initiatives, we have recruited 30 to 35 transgenders. While some of them have been placed in the green marshal's squad, who are enforcing the cleanliness drive, others were inducted as security personnel (guards) at the civic body, while some others have been given the task of maintaining the civic gardens," he said.

They were recruited on July 1 and so far all they have been doing a good job, he said.

"We are hopeful that this opportunity will certainly help them in creating their own identity and live with dignity," he said.