Strict action against illegal sex determination to be ensured across the state
Decides to rope in spiritual leaders to fight against female feticide
Chandigarh, May 14
The Haryana Government has intensified its statewide campaign to improve the sex ratio and curb illegal sex determination practices, with Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra directing district health authorities to launch stricter enforcement and awareness measures across all districts.
Issuing comprehensive directions to Civil Surgeons in the state, Dr. Sumita Misra said that the Health Department is committed to ensuring effective implementation of the PC&PNDT Act and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act to eliminate female foeticide and promote gender equality.
She directed all districts to significantly increase raids and inspections against illegal sex determination activities and strengthen surveillance mechanisms to identify and curb violations at the ground level. She emphasized that strict monitoring and swift action are essential to improving the sex ratio in the state.
Dr. Misra further instructed all Civil Surgeons to ensure that District Level Committee and District Task Force meetings are held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner within the next three working days and regularly thereafter for close monitoring and coordinated action at the district level. She said field staff accountability must be strengthened, and every possible effort should be made to improve the sex ratio by the end of May 2026 compared to the corresponding period last year.
Highlighting the need for social participation, the Dr. Misra said religious leaders, community organisations and local institutions should be actively involved in creating awareness against female foeticide and sex determination. She also called for the involvement of Pandits, Maulvis and Granthis conducting marriage ceremonies to encourage newly married couples to take a stand against sex selection practices.
Dr. Sumita Misra also directed officials to strengthen monitoring of pregnant women, particularly those having one or more female children, through the SAHELI network and field-level health teams to ensure timely intervention in suspicious cases.
She stressed that all enforcement activities and awareness campaigns undertaken by districts should be widely publicised through media and social media platforms to increase public awareness. Warning officers against negligence, Dr. Misra said strict disciplinary action would be taken against those failing to effectively implement the government’s directions.
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