JOIN USThe announcement of free LPG connection has done wonders for the health department in Pali district to boost the sagging sterilisation numbers.
Pali district has bagged number one position in sterilisation last year after the announcement of a Nano car through a lottery system. However, this year the district has gone down to 28th position.
In order to boost the family planing ranking, the district administration has announced free LPG connection to all those who undergo sterilisation in the last three days (March 29, 30 and 31) and it has triggered a flood of applicants.
Over 2,000 operations have been done in the last three days, said Principal Medical Officer Dr P K Pamecha.
The LPG gas connection scheme is valid only for three days, which started on March 29. The scheme was launched by the district administration to meet the target of sterilisation given to it by the medical, health and family welfare department.
The district had won the first prize last financial year for the highest number of sterilisation cases. But, this year it was lagging behind as it has achieved only a little more than half the target.
Pali Collector Neeraj K Pawan said: “It is not easy to get an LPG gas connection. We tied up with the gas agency to distribute LPG connections to those who will get sterilised in the last three days of the financial year.”
The district administration is spending approximately Rs 5,000 on each person who will get sterilised on March 29, 30 and 31.
Apart from the gas connection there are other incentives also. A woman gets Rs 500 from the Pali Nagar Parishad, 1 kg ghee, Rs 600 from the state government, 1 sari and a blanket. While a man gets Rs 1,100 from the state government, 1 mobile phone from the district administration, 1 kg ghee and Rs 500 from the Nagar Parishad — all of which is worth Rs 5,000.
Besides, there is also a Nano car to be won. Those who got sterilised in the last four months will be eligible for the Nano car lucky draw.
Pawan said: “We are doing it with collaboration of industries in Pali. Last year we came first and won Rs 30 lakh, hence we are spending that amount to encourage people to undergo sterilisation.”
Dr Pamecha said: “We hope that out position in the sterilisation will go up to the top 10 districts in the state as the response of the people to the scheme was overwhelming.”
He said we may extend the scheme for three more days as the demand is very high. He said the doctors strike and suspension of some key officers in the medical and health department led to the poor sterilisation figures in the district this year.