Chief Minister Announces Measures to Combat Female Feticide

Shimla, October 5, 2023: The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, inaugurated a two-day workshop on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994, organized by the Directorate of Health Safety and Regulations in Shimla.

During the two-day workshop, discussions will be held on strategies to prevent female feticide and ensure the effective implementation of the act. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made a significant announcement during the event, stating that the government will now provide financial incentives to encourage the birth of daughters. Under the new scheme, the government will provide two lakh rupees (INR 2,00,000) on the birth of a daughter, and one lakh rupees (INR 1,00,000) on the birth of a second daughter.

CM Sukhu emphasized that Himachal Pradesh ranks third in terms of gender ratio in the country. Currently, 56 percent of elected representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions are women. The participation of women in politics has contributed to a reduction in female feticide cases.

He stressed the importance of strict enforcement of prenatal sex determination laws and mentioned that tribal women are often denied their land rights. The government is exploring ways to provide land rights and increase the legal marriage age for tribal women.

This initiative aims to address the issue of female feticide and promote the birth and well-being of girl children in Himachal Pradesh.