Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga said that Government was committed to provide free of cost quality education to the girl child to secure their future. He said Central and State Governments lay utmost thrust on empowerment of women so that they lead in every field and contribute equally in the development of the nation. Addressing a gathering of people at a function organized in connection with the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” programme, the Minister said that the State Government has launched this prestigious programme for the development and promotion of girls. The programmes envisage financial benefits for the girls born after April 1, 2015. The parents of such girls can approach the Social Welfare Department for availing the benefits of the scheme. With the launching of this scheme, the sex ratio of females in vulnerable districts will also improve substantially. The scheme is aimed at to provide full social security to the girl child and poor parents will not feel the girl child as burden on them. The Minister also called for launching a massive awareness campaign against the female foeticide to promote the girl child and improving the sex ration in the State. On the occasion, the Minister also launched a grievance redressal helpline for females so that they can register complaints against anyone indulging in dowry any other related complaints. The Helpline number – 98588- 60104 can be used for registering the complaints at any odd hour by the females. The Minister also highlighted the social schemes, including Ladli Beti, State Marriage Assistance Scheme and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao launched by the Government and appealed the masses to come forward and avail maximum benefits of these. The Minister directed the officers of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to ensure early registration of pregnant ladies at Anganwadi centres, besides providing counseling on PC & PNDT Act. He also instructed the officers of Health Department to ensure strict implementation of PC & PNDT Act and conduct frequent surprise visits at clinics having ultrasonography machines to strictly curb the practices of sex determination and female foeticide. He called for strict action against those found indulging in the practice of sex determination. The Minister also directed the officers of Education Department to ensure universal enrolment of girls, construction of toilets at every school and conducting campaigns for re-enrolment of drop out girls, especially in the rural and farflung areas. Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sheetal Nanda and district officers of various departments were present on the occasion.
