Telangana’s transgender Traffic Assistants earn praise, set national benchmark
Hyderabad: Telangana’s pioneering initiative to appoint transgender individuals as Traffic Assistants in Hyderabad has drawn national attention for its success, with officials confirming that the pilot programme has received overwhelmingly positive feedback.
At a high-level review meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday, Panchayat Raj and Women & Child Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka) hailed the decision as “historic” and said Telangana had set a new standard in inclusive governance.
The review came six months after 44 transgender individuals were appointed as Traffic Assistants by the Hyderabad City Police in December 2024, making Telangana the first State in India to formally induct transgender citizens into a government role of this scale.
Of the 44 appointees, 38 are actively serving. Minister Seethakka noted that not a single complaint had been filed against them so far. “They have earned both dignity and acceptance,” she said. “Their dedication has made them role models.”
Also present at the meeting were Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand, WCD Secretary Anitha Ramachandran IAS, and members of transgender welfare NGOs. Officials confirmed that feedback from police units and citizens alike had been overwhelmingly positive.
C.V. Anand stated that the recruitment process, completed in just 10 days on CM Revanth Reddy’s orders, was a landmark in police reform. “There have been no disciplinary issues. In fact, they have integrated seamlessly and shown remarkable dedication,” he said, adding that private job pathways in security services would also be opened to interested candidates.
Traffic officials commended the Assistants for cooperating with station staff and handling their duties diligently, including traffic bandobast during major events.
The Assistants, many of whom once feared the police, spoke with emotion about the respect and acceptance they now receive. “This decision gave us courage. It gave us dignity we never had in 76 years,” one said.
They expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and requested further support—on par with home guards in terms of facilities. They also welcomed the decision to give them the same uniforms as home guards, calling it a powerful symbol of equality.
Minister Seethakka announced that transgender individuals will be allotted housing under the Indiramma scheme via the disability quota, and that Maitri Clinics would be expanded to cater to their healthcare needs.
The government confirmed plans to extend recruitment to other departments based on the pilot’s success, making Telangana a national model in inclusive employment.