Minister for Health and Medical Education, Bali Bhagat today felicitated parents declared as Ambassadors of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme here at Balwal Block.The District Task Force Jammu of the flagship ‘Save Girl campaign’, under its new initiatives, has declared the parents with only daughters as the Ambassadors of the scheme. Under the initiative, such parents whose daughters are enrolled in 8th standard have been declared as junior Ambassadors and those whose daughters have completed education as senior Ambassadors. As part of the initiative, the Minister gave away cheque worth Rs 3100 each and felicitation certificates among 24 Junior and Senior Ambassadors of Bhalwal block.Pertinently, the Task Force has declared 322 families (parents) as Ambassadors who have only daughters and are taking keen interest in their education and well being. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister expressed his satisfaction over the successful implementation of Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme in the eight districts of the state with less sex ration . He said that in a short span the government has introduced many schemes for welfare of women such as Aasra, Ladli Beti and marriage assistance schemes.
Terming female infanticide as a heinous crime, Bali Bhagat urged the society to come forward and put in place concerted efforts to create congenial environment where a girl gets fair opportunity to prove her metal in each and every sphere of life.Expressing concern over the increasing gap in the child sex ratio of the state, the Minister said that poverty is the main cause of such alarming trend and the birth of girl child can only be encouraged when they are economically strengthened. He said launch of Ladli Beti scheme is expected to go a long way in promoting the ‘Save Girl’ Campaign. He also called for attitudinal change in the mindset of people to protect the rights of women folk in the society. Later, the Minister visited Lale Da Bagh (Nai Basti) to assess the loss due to recent floods and ongoing restoration work in the area. The people of the area put forth various demands and sought early measures to improve drainage system in the locality.The Minister asked the concerned engineers to work in coordination to expedite the restoration work. He asked the PWD (R&B) agency to make fresh DPR for construction of small bridge over the local nallah and submit the same within a week’s time. He assured that the families whose houses were damaged due to heavy rains would be provided assistance under IAY scheme.Senior officers of concerned departments accompanied the Minister.