Representative image showing a baby's foot.
Credit: Pixabay Photo
Bengaluru: The Karnataka health department has decided to gift baby kits worth Rs 1,000 to every girl child born on January 24 across district hospitals and light up each district hospital with pink lights to mark the National Girl Child Day.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has assured that the state government is committed to protecting girls.
The Health Department has launched several programs to protect the health of girls including the Anaemia Muktha Poushtika Karnataka scheme, the Shuchi scheme and Janani Suraksha schemes. The department has also begun taking action against those who commit female foeticide, besides raising awareness about gender inequality.
A total of 136 cases have been filed in the court against scanning centers, owners or doctors who have violated the PC&PNDT Act. In 74 cases, the accused have been acquitted with fines, and 62 cases are pending in the court at various stages.
Besides this, the state government has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for informants who provide information against scanning centers, hospitals, doctors, brokers, relatives of pregnant women who perform female foeticide and help in filing a case in the court.
All scanning centres, besides the manufacturers, sellers and repairers of ultrasound machines, are mandatorily being registered and a state task force has been formed under the state health commissioner to effectively implement the PC&PNDT Act.