STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Where have the 2020-21 funds meant for the shelter homes of the State gone? Seeking the response to this query, the All Assam Transgender Association (AATA) has moved the Gauhati High Court with a PIL (24/21).
Besides the shelter homes of persons with disabilities and other categories, the State also has three shelters for transgender – one each at Kamrup (M), Dhubri and Bongaigaon districts.
On behalf of the petitioner, its advocate Swati B. Baruah (TG) said, "None of the shelter homes, including those of persons with disabilities and others, got funds in the financial year 2020-21. Where have the funds meant for shelter homes for the financial year ended on March 31, 2021 gone? Through the PIL the petitioner prayed for an inquiry to ascertain as to where the funds have gone."
Through its counsel the State government assured the Court that "shelter homes which inter alia provide help and shelter to members of the transgender community and others shall not be starving of funds and shall not be shut down till the next date of listing".
Talking to The Sentinel, Advocate Swati B. Baruah said, "The shelter homes had to face acute cash crunch due to non-payment of funds meant for them for fiscal 2020-21. If any of the shelter homes had to take bank loans to run the homes, who'll repay the loan amount? Even if the State Social Welfare department and the Finance Department release the funds meant for the shelter homes for the current financial year, who'll make up the funds for the year that has already lapsed?"
The division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak listed the PIL for next hearing on April 20, 2021.