Discussions were held to improve the female-male ratio in the state, suggestions were sought after taking feedback from organizations
Raipur. 18 April 2023
Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri T.S. Singhdev discussed with the representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working against gender discrimination and illegal abortion for effective implementation of PCPNDT Act. In a meeting held at his residence office in Raipur, the Health Minister sought suggestions from non-governmental organizations for effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act and improving the male-female ratio in the state. State Women’s Commission Chairperson Dr. Kiranmayi Nayak, Commissioner of Health Department Dr. C.R. Prasanna, Director of Health Services Mr. Bhim Singh, Director of National Health Mission Mr. Bhoskar Vilas Sandipan, Joint Director of PCPNDT Act Dr. Prashant Srivastava and Deputy Director of Health Department Dr. Mahendra Singh also attended the meeting.
State Women’s Commission Chairperson Dr. Kiranmayi Nayak suggested in the meeting that debates, speeches and debates on topics related to these should be organized among children in high schools and higher secondary schools to create awareness to remove gender inequality and maintain a good sex ratio. Essay competitions can be organized. He informed that the Women’s Commission is campaigning for awareness on these issues through awareness chariot. The representatives of NGOs suggested that there is a need to sensitize the youth for effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act. Adequate publicity should also be given on social media to create awareness about this act, maintain better sex ratio in the state and prevent illegal abortions.
Dr. Prashant Srivastava, Joint Director, PCPNDT Act told in the State Board of Supervisors meeting that 56 sonography centers in 14 districts of the state have been inspected by the state level inspection team. In case of violation of the Act during inspection, 14 centers have been issued notices, two have been recommended to be sealed and one center suspended. He informed that the inspection teams constituted at the district level inspected 853 centers and action has been taken against 23 centers which violated the Act. Action has been taken by district level teams to issue notices to 16 centres, seal five centers and suspend two centres. In the meeting, representatives of NGOs Anmol Foundation, Participant, Pradan, Samarth and Arpan presented their suggestions.
