S.A.S Nagar, June 2nd 2009: A State level workshop on implementation of the PC & PNDT Act to create awareness for cause of girl-child and improving sex-ratio and curbing sex selective foeticide was organized here today at Punjab Health Systems Corporation, S.A.S Nagar. The workshop was attended by Deputy Commissioners, Civil Surgeons, S.M.O’s and appropriate authorities under PNDT Act. Prof. Laxmi kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister inaugurated the workshop and while addressing the participants she emphasized that improving sex-ratio in the state was one of the top most priorities of the state government, while adding that sustained and long term inter-departmental and inter-sectoral initiatives were required for empowerment of women e.g. better social security, reservation, education, employment etc. She stated that there was a strong need to bring changes in the mindset of the people, who by and large still have preferences for sons. Prof. Chawla, on the occasion, administered an Oath to the participants for pledging their committed support towards the cause of girl-child.
Shri. A.R.Talwar, Principal Secretary, Health, said that declining sex-ratio in the country was a matter of serious concern, which required steps like intensive and sustained awareness generation campaigns in favour of the girl-child as well as strict enforcement of provisions of the PC & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PNDT). He added that initiatives like Balri Rakshak Yojna, Prizes for Panchayats, Prizes for informers and incentives for decoys alongwith strict enforcement of PNDT Act are being taken in Punjab to check the declining sex-ratio.
Mr. Satish Chandra, Secretary Health & Mission Director National Rural Health Mission, while sharing his views said that PNDT was an important component of NRHM. He discussed various key issues and services being provided under National Rural Health Mission, Punjab, along with the new initiatives taken under the project to bring health sector reforms.
Dr S.P.S. Sohal, Director Health & F.W., Dr. J.P. Singh, Director Family Welfare, Shri. Ram Lal Gupta, Additional A.G and Smt. Saroj Malhotra, members State Appropriate Authority also spoke on the occasion and addressed the delegates and attended to their queries.
Dr. V.K. Goyal State Nodal Officer PNDT gave presentation on causes of decline in child sex-ratio, i.e. Mindset and Social Trend. He discussed the role of mindset of people and how the same can be changed for betterment of girl-child. He informed that there are 1347 registered ultra-sound centres in Punjab out of which the registration of 311 centres had been suspended/ cancelled from time to time under section 20 for violation of PNDT Act. FIRs against 103 centers had been lodged and 14 centres had been convicted by courts for PNDT violations.