Odisha SSEPD Minister Chairs Inaugural Meeting of Reconstituted State Transgender Welfare Board | ଓଡ଼ିଶାରେ ରାଜ୍ୟ ଟ୍ରାନ୍ସଜେଣ୍ଡର କଲ୍ୟାଣ ବୋର୍ଡର ପ୍ରଥମ ବୈଠକ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠିତ

Odisha SSEPD Minister Chairs Inaugural Meeting of State Transgender Welfare Board

BHUBANESWAR — Reinforcing its commitment to social inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities, the Government of Odisha convened the first high-level meeting of the reconstituted State Transgender Welfare Board. The session was chaired by the Minister for Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), Shri Nityananda Gond, alongside key administrative officials and community representatives.

🤝 Key Stakeholders & Attendance

• Chaired By: Shri Nityananda Gond (Hon'ble SSEPD Minister).
• Senior Officials: Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Director Parul Patawari, and Additional Secretaries Sonia Behera and Deepak Routrai.
• Line Departments: Representatives from WCD, Higher Education, School & Mass Education, Health & Family Welfare, and Panchayati Raj departments.
• Community Leadership: Voices from TG SURAKHYA TRUST, CHETANA (Balugaon), and transgender community leaders.

📈 Major Achievements Reviewed

• Economic Empowerment: Under the Sweekruti scheme, 80 Transgender Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been established, with 41 SHGs receiving a one-time grant of ₹50,000 for entrepreneurship.
• Official Recognition: Over 3,159 Transgender Certificates and Identity Cards have been issued across Odisha under the SMILE initiative.
• Healthcare & Shelter: Rapid progress on rolling out Ayushman Bharat TG Plus cards and the ongoing operation of the Garima Greh shelter home in Bhubaneswar.