The three neighbouring States of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday came at a single platform resolving to work together in key health related and social areas with a key focus on issues like curbing the female foeticide menace.
The decision was taken during an Inter-State Convergence and Coordination Meeting of the three states on Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC-PNDT). During the meeting, Principal Secretaries (Health and Family Welfare) level talks were held between the three states.
Himachal Pradesh was represented by Principal Secretary Health Vineet Chaudhary, Punjab by Principal Secretary Health Vini Mahajan and Haryana by its Principal Secretary Health RR Jowel. Besides, the Directors of Health Services of the three states were also present along with the Deputy Directors and Programme Officers of PNDT Cells of these States.
Mahajan announced to enhance the award money for the informers of illegal sex-determination and female foeticide in Punjab to Rs1 lakh. “Haryana is already providing similar amount to informers,” she said.
She stated that Punjab would have no objection if any official of PNDT Cell of the neighbouring State visits the State for checking ultrasound centres on any tip-off. “However, if the neighbouring State wishes to inform Punjab prior to any such raid, they shall get full support and follow-up action by Punjab, and if they don’t opt for it, we shall extend our full cooperation to them,” she added.
Mahajan also shared Nawanshahr model of PNDT implementation, which has been very successful in Punjab due to contributors like social awareness, tracking of pregnant women and pro-active role by district authorities. She emphasised that psyche of community need to be changed towards the worth of girl child and also for issues like son preferences etc. “A special focus needs to be laid upon couples having first female child,” she said while exhorting the Deputy Commissioners to play a more pro-active role in checking mal-practice.
She also told that e-groups and whatsapp groups will be created with these neighboring states’ officials for prompt sharing of important information and good practices.
Mahajan said that although sex-ratio in the state has improved, lot more improvement can be brought in further.
Chaudhary stressed upon “proper and early registrations and tracking of all pregnancies”. He said: “All expectant mothers are registered in Himachal Pradesh. Accountability of ANMs and ASHAs needs to be fixed if tracking is not done properly,” he said. He also emphasized for a pro-active approach by the officials of the Department of Health and Family Welfare. He also stressed upon the need to incentivise or de-incentivise ASHA worker for early or late registration of pregnancies, respectively. He said all the three States should lay special focus on border areas to check malpractice of sex determination.
Jowel stated that in Haryana, local district administrations are playing a very pro-active role in implementing PC-PNDT Act. “Deputy Commissioners themselves take lot of personal interest on the issue, which has helped the state in curbing the menace to a great extent,” he said.
He also welcomed the teams from neighboring states to come and check the centers in Haryana in case they get any leads regarding any illegal activity under PC-PNDT Act. He also told that in Haryana, there is a scheme to incentivize the families having only two girl child.