52 toilets built for specially abled, transgender in judicial complexes

The Himachal Government has taken the lead in the construction of toilets for specially abled and transgender at judicial complexes in the state, as per the directives of the Supreme Court.

An official spokesperson for the Public Works Department (PWD) said here today that washrooms had been constructed in all public courts and tribunal premises. He added that till October 9, the department had constructed 52 such toilets (27 for transgender and 25 for persons with disabilities) in judicial court complexes in Shimla, Kangra, Solan, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, Mandi, Chamba and Kinnaur districts.

He said that the work on the remaining 34 toilets was in progress in Sirmaur, Kullu and at other Judicial Court complexes. Besides, 13 more toilets would be constructed in court complexes this year upon the availability of land, for which the process to identify land was underway.

The Rule 10 (5) and 10 (9) of The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020, mandates the creation of specific infrastructure, including washrooms, for such persons in establishments and entrusts this responsibility on the appropriate government.

A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Justice Satyen Vaidya with the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Finance), PWD Secretary, PWD Engineer-in-Chief and the president of the Bar Association as members. To expedite the process, a sub-committee was formed under District and Sessions Court Judges to monitor the progress and get the facilities constructed in all judicial complexes for persons with disabilities.