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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">The weekly meeting of the State Task Force (STF) for Improving the Sex Ratio in Haryana was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Sudhir Rajpal. The meeting centred on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further enhance the state's sex ratio under the &lsquo;Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao&rsquo; campaign. </span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Mr Rajpal directed officials to step up enforcement measures against illegal abortion practices and to take stringent action against any doctors found guilty of violations, including the cancellation of their medical licences. During the meeting, it was reported that, between 20 and 26 May 2025, inspections were carried out across the state targeting the illegal sale of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits. As a result, 1,787 MTP kits were seized and six First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered. Furthermore, three shops were sealed for engaging in unlawful practices. </span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">The number of wholesalers distributing MTP kits has also seen a marked reduction, dropping from 32 to just six within a month. Additionally, three cases of overcharging for MTP kits were uncovered, and two firms were issued notices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, for regulatory violations. Notably, the sale of MTP kits has seen a significant decline in 14 districts across the state.</span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Emphasising the need to target unqualified practitioners involved in illegal abortions, Mr Rajpal instructed that senior medical officers at all Community Health Centres (CHCs) be held accountable to ensure that such practices do not take place within their jurisdictions. He further directed that senior medical officers conduct weekly review meetings with medical officers and community health officers every Tuesday. Similarly, Chief Medical Officers are to hold meetings with senior medical officers every Wednesday to assess the progress in tackling illegal abortions and improving the sex ratio. It was also decided to place 686 sub-registrars under the administrative oversight of the 122 Community Health Centres across the state to strengthen accountability mechanisms.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Officials were instructed to revalidate the registration data of all in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) centres operating in Haryana and to closely monitor their functioning in order to detect any malpractice or illegality. Strict compliance with existing norms will be enforced, and those found in violation will face stringent action, Mr Rajpal stated. </span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">Strict adherence to established norms will be enforced, and violators will face stringent action. In addition, it was emphasised that more birth registration camps must be organised in villages and slum areas with high migrant populations, ensuring that even the most marginalised communities are reached and that no child born in the state remains unregistered.</span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">&nbsp;The Additional Chief Secretary also directed that show-cause notices be issued to the Programme Officers (ICDS) and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) of three districts &mdash; Faridabad, Sonipat and Nuh &mdash; for failing to assign ASHA or Anganwadi Workers as SAHELIs (companions) to counsel pregnant women, as required.</span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">&nbsp;The Department of Women and Child Development was further instructed to intensify Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities in rural areas. These efforts will include holding &lsquo;Lado Panchayats&rsquo; and &lsquo;Kuan Pujan&rsquo; ceremonies, while Deputy Commissioners will be encouraged to publicly felicitate families with newborn girls. </span></div>
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<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: georgia, palatino, serif;">These initiatives are aimed at empowering women and girls through sustained community engagement, awareness-building, and educational outreach. The meeting was also attended by Mr Rippudaman Singh Dhillon, Secretary, Health Department and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, along with senior officers from various departments</span></div>
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Six FIRs registered, three shops sealed as Haryana steps up fight against illegal abortions

Haryana Raids: 1,700+ Abortion Kits Seized, 6 FIRs

Six FIRs registered, three shops sealed as Haryana steps up fight against illegal abortions

May 28, 2025 | 15:26 IST