Haryana's Crackdown on Declining Sex Ratios: Health Officials Suspended

Haryana's Additional Chief Secretary, Sudhir Rajpal, suspended two health officers due to declining sex ratios. A task force meeting underscored reinforcing surveillance, curbing gender-determination practices, and reversing illegal abortion cases to improve the sex ratio. Efforts aim for a ratio of 920 this year, with stronger legal actions to be pursued.

In Haryana, Additional Chief Secretary Sudhir Rajpal has taken decisive action against two health officials for their roles in falling sex ratio figures. The Medical Officer in Sirsa and Senior Medical Officer in Sonipat were suspended for negligence, following a task force meeting addressing this critical issue.

Rajpal, focusing on reversing the downward trend, called for enhanced surveillance, stringent measures against gender-determination practices, and intensified efforts to combat illegal abortions. The state's target is to achieve a sex ratio of 920 this year, demonstrating commitment through video conferences with district officials and law enforcement to push proactive strategies.

Further, Rajpal emphasized the necessity for comprehensive tracking systems, advocating for a management information system to oversee Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques-related cases. He seeks to expedite justice by involving POCSO courts and deploying specialized lawyers to handle low-conviction PNDT cases more effectively.

(With inputs from agencies.)