Strict directions issued to keep close watch on Illegal MTP and PNDT cases
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh –
Haryana Health Department Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Haryana, Rippudaman Singh Dhillon, has directed all Civil Surgeons in the state to conduct increased raids in cases of illegal Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) and Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) violations, and to take strict action against the offenders.
Dhillon was presiding over the meeting of the Special Task Force constituted to monitor the sex ratio in the state here today. It was informed in the meeting that this time the sex ratio of girls in the state has reached 915. Director General, Health Services Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Dr. Virender Yadav, along with other senior officers, were present at the meeting.
Rippudaman Singh Dhillon directed the Civil Surgeons, Nodal Officers, and Police Department officers of districts lagging behind in sex ratio to keep a close watch on illegal MTP and PNDT cases within their respective jurisdictions. He emphasized that if anyone is found guilty, strict action must be taken against them.
He also said that while filing FIRs, all aspects should be taken into consideration so that the accused does not get acquitted due to lack of evidence. He further said that in cases where it appears that the accused has been acquitted by the lower court due to inadequate representation, the case must be appealed in the higher court. He sought details of court cases from the past three years to determine whether challans are being filed on time or not.
Rippudaman Dhillon said that following the PM Narendra Modi’s call for “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,” the state government is committed to eliminating female foeticide completely to achieve a balanced sex ratio. He directed that in districts where no raids have been conducted in the past 4–5 months for checking illegal MTP and PNDT cases, concerned officers must intensify their efforts to achieve the target sex ratio.
Expressing displeasure over improper birth registration of newborns during special camps held in slum areas of several districts, he directed officers to spread awareness in areas where frontline workers reside and ensure proper birth registration of their children.