47 FIRs lodged to check violation of PCPNDT Act in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Forty seven FIRs have been registered and 15 ultrasound machines sealed recently under the Haryana Government's campaign to check violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.

Under this campaign, Chief Medical Officers, in liaison with Deputy Commissioners, are conducting raids and inspecting all ultrasound machines of their respective districts, an official spokesperson said here today.

"Decoy customers are being sent to detect illegal use of mobile machines and sex determination kits and a special legal expert has been appointed to follow up each individual case of violation of the Acts to ensure conviction," he said.

As many as 98 'Prachar Yatras' aimed at community mobilisation and awareness generation were conducted in the state for the success of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Programme', which was launched in January this year with the objective to prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination and ensure survival, protection and education of the girl child.

Apart from this, 2,455 awareness rallies were organised in the selected 12 districts where the sex ratio is skewed and saw participation of 1,46,918 persons, he said.

The 12 districts covered under the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao programme included Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Yamunanagar, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jhajjar, he said.

"Similarly, 1,808 activities including 'nukkad nataks' (street plays), rallies, baby shows and Girl Child Day were organised for awareness generation," he said.

Special celebrations were held to mark the birth of the girl child, and special Lohri celebrations were held for them, in order to improve girl child's status in the society, he said.

"With a view to ensure effective implementation of the programme, the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' Secretariat has been set up in the office of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, to review the implementation of the programme and monitor the functioning of all line departments," the Spokesperson said.