On the directions of Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao, the weekly meeting of the State Task Force (STF) for Improving Sex Ratio in Haryana was held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal here today.
The meeting focused on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improve the state's sex ratio under the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign.The meeting highlighted that the government’s sustained efforts have yielded encouraging results — from January 1 to July 28 this year, the state’s sex ratio has improved to 905, up from 899 during the corresponding period last year.
The Additional Chief Secretary emphasized the need for stringent enforcement against illegal abortions, including revoking the licences of doctors found complicit and sealing all such centres/clinics which are found involved in such malpractices.
He directed that such hospitals and centres be de-listed from empanelment under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and any other government facilities be also stopped to such centres. The centres carrying out illegal abortions in the garb of Dilation and Curettage (D&C) procedure should also be identified and action be taken against them.
He said the state is implementing reverse tracking of all Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) and abortion cases beyond 12 weeks, particularly where women already have one or more daughters. 10 more FIRs were registered last week in suspected cases of reverse tracking.
The meeting was informed that 15 districts have shown marked improvement in sex ratio as compared to last year, a result of consistent field operations such as raids and decoy operations. However, 5 districts, namely Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Palwal and Sirsa have performed below expectations and registered a downward trend in sex ratio as compared to last year.
Ordering strict action, the Additional Chief Secretary directed all powers of Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of these 5 districts under the PNDT Act be withdrawn and given to CMOs of neighbouring districts, adding that the new CMOs should immediately take the charge of these districts and begin work to improve the sex ratio.
He also ordered that the Nodal Officers for PNDT Act in these districts be chargesheeted and new officers be appointed in their places. Special state squads, comprising HCS and other senior officers, will be formed to monitor corrective action to curb illegal abortions in these districts.The top performing districts, who have achieved significant improvement in sex ratio, will be incentivized and rewarded for their efforts.
The Additional Chief Secretary also said that anyone providing authentic and accurate information of doctors/quacks involved in illegal abortion practices, including sex determination tests, to the concerned CMO shall be rewarded with a cash incentive of Rs 1 lakh.Secretary, Health Department and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Sh. Rippudaman Singh Dhillon, and senior officers of various departments were present in the meeting.