ACS-HEALTH SH. SUDHIR RAJPAL CHAIRS WEEKLY MEETING OF STATE TASK FORCE (STF) FOR IMPROVING SEX RATIO IN HARYANA
Face2News/Chandigarh
The weekly meeting of the State Task Force (STF) for Improving Sex Ratio in Haryana was held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal here today. The meeting focused on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improve the state's sex ratio under the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign.
During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary directed officials to intensify enforcement against illegal abortion practices and take strict action against doctors found guilty of such violations, including cancellation of their licences.
The meeting was informed that in the past week (May 20 to May 26, 2025), inspections were conducted across the state over the illegal sale of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits in which 1787 MTP kits were seized and 6 FIRs were registered. In addition, 3 shops were sealed for illegal practices. The number of wholesalers selling MTP kits has been reduced from 32 to 6 within one month in Haryana. Three cases of overcharging of MTP kits were detected while two firms were given notice under Drug and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for violation of rules. The sale trend of MTP kits has seen a significant decline in 14 districts of the state.
The Additional Chief Secretary emphasized targeting BAMS doctors and unqualified practitioners (quacks) involved in illegal abortions. He directed officials to hold Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) accountable in all Community Health Centres (CHCs), ensuring that no illegal abortions occur within their jurisdictions. It was ordered that SMOs shall hold weekly meetings with Medical Officers and Community Health Officers (CHOs) every Tuesday, while Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) should hold meetings with SMOs every Wednesday to review efforts against illegal abortions and improving the sex ratio. It was also decided to place 686 sub-registrars under the jurisdiction of all 122 Community Health Centres (CHCs) operating across the state to enhance accountability.
Officials were also directed to revalidate the registration data of IVF centres operating across the state and closely monitor their activities to identify any malpractice or illegalities. Strict compliance with established norms will be enforced, with violators facing stringent action. Additionally, more birth registration camps must be organized in villages and slum areas with high migrant populations in order to reach the poorest of poor so that no child born in the state goes unregistered.
The Additional Chief Secretary also ordered to issue a show-cause notice to PO(ICDS)/CDPOs of 3 districts, namely Faridabad, Sonipat and Nuh, for negligence in assigning ASHA or Anganwadi Worker as a SAHELI (companion) to counsel pregnant women.
Further, the Women and Child Development Department was instructed to intensify IEC activities in villages, including holding ‘Lado Panchayats’, ‘Kuan Pujan’ ceremonies, with Deputy Commissioners also felicitating families with newborn girls. These initiatives aim to empower women and girls through community engagement, advocacy and education.
Secretary, Health Department and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Sh. Rippudaman Singh Dhillon, and senior officers of various departments were present in the meeting.