The Bombay High Court while hearing the case of Vinayak Kashid v. MSETCL & Ors asked the Maharashtra government “to consider granting reservation to transgender persons in the areas of education and employment”.

The case related to a petition filed by one Vinayak Kashid, a graduate in Electrical Engineering and postgraduate in Technology (Electrical Power System Engineering), seeking a modification to the advertisement issued by MahaTransco in May this year for mass recruitment. It was informed that 1% reservation was provided in all caste categories in Karnataka and thus prayed that such a policy be adopted in Maharashtra too. 

The Advocate General said that transgender persons got reservations under the Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) section but it was enquired by the court what would happen in case transgender belongs to the general category. The Court asked the AG to convey its suggestion to the newly-formed committee under the social justice department of the State government.

The State issued a government resolution on March 3, 2023 for recruitment of transgenders in employment and education. The resolution mentioned a committee set up under the social justice department consisting of 14 members. The 14 members were majorly secretaries of various State departments and psychologists. Further the bench insisted that the committee look into the issue of reservation for transgender persons but there was not a satisfactory response.

The matter was thus posted for June 7 expecting clarification from the government.