The Dehradun District Magistrate SA Murugesan chaired a meeting with the departmental officials concerned regarding the successful implementation of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme in the district here on Monday. In the meeting, the District Magistrate directed the officials concerned that to ensure that the girl child does not face any discrimination, there is also a need for raising the level of awareness among their parents and guardians.
He directed all the Child Development and Education officers in the district to organise meetings with the parents of girls. Through the meetings, the parents should be made aware of there being no difference between boys and girls. The District Magistrate further directed the district programme officer that at the block level a committee should be formed under the Sub Divisional Magistrate. This committee will also include the Block Development Officer, Block Education Officer and Village Development Officer and will be involved in widespread publicity at the village level in order to bring about the desired level of public awareness. The District Magistrate informed that according to the figures available, a considerable drop has been observed in the child sex ratio in the age group of 0 to 6 years. This is a matter for serious concern. The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme is a proactive initiative to bring about an improvement in the child sex ratio. This programme is also an attempt to facilitate the empowerment of women, ensuring dignity for them and and facilitating an increase in the opportunities available to them, added the District Magistrate. He directed the officials concerned to use pamphlets, posters, banners and stickers among other means to publicise the message of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme.
Murugesan also directed all the officers concerned to regularly conduct inspection of the Anganwadi centres in their respective areas. The district programme officer should also be kept informed through letter about important details pertaining to the Anganwadi centres like regularity of vaccination and health check ups by the ANM workers according to the set schedule and shortage of ANM workers in any area.