Telangana amends Municipalities Act to allow co-option of transgender members in ULBs

Telangana has amended the Telangana Municipalities Act, 2019 to allow a transgender person to be co-opted as a member of municipal corporations and other urban local bodies.

The state government described the move as a step towards upholding the constitutional principles of dignity, equality and non-discrimination. The amendment is intended to give transgender persons meaningful representation in urban local governance, including during the preparation and execution of municipal budgets.

According to the government, transgender persons form a historically marginalised and socially excluded group. In urban areas, their experiences are often marked by a denial of dignity, systemic discrimination and limited access to basic civic entitlements such as housing, sustainable livelihoods, healthcare, sanitation, mobility and the safe use of public spaces.

While welfare schemes and targeted interventions have been introduced to address immediate needs, the absence of institutional representation in local governance structures has restricted the community's ability to take part, with dignity and equality, in decisions that directly affect their lives.

The government said the co-option provision is expected to strengthen gender-responsive planning and budgeting, and help urban local bodies mainstream gender equality across municipal programmes, infrastructure investments and service delivery mechanisms.