New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that it will set up a committee to focus on issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community while having a cohabitory relationship with same-sex partner.

The cabinet secretary will head the committee. “Issue was some genuine human concerns and discussion was if something can be done administratively. Government is positive. This would need coordination by different ministries. A committee headed by cabinet secretary will be formed and suggestions given by the petitioners will be addressed,” said the solicitor General Tushar Mehta, quoted Bar and Bench.

The Supreme Court is hearing a batch of pleas that seek legalisation of same-sex marriage in India. The bench is being headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

The pleas have urged the top court that they should also be given right to marry a person of their choice, which has already been given to heterosexual couples.

Meanwhile, the Centre has opposed the pleas. Earlier, it implored the Supreme Court to stop the hearing in the matter and leave it up to the Parliament to make laws in the “very complex subject having profound social impact”.

The Supreme Court heard the matter on April 27 in the latest and asked the central government to come up with its respone on the social benefits that same sex couples can be granted even without legal recognition of their marital status.