ACS-Health Chairs Weekly Meeting Of State Task Force (STF) For Improving Sex Ratio in Haryana
Registration of AYUSH doctor in Sonipat cancelled over illegal abortion practices
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Under the directions of Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao, the weekly meeting of the State Task Force (STF) for Improving Sex Ratio in Haryana was held under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Sudhir Rajpal here today. The meeting focused on intensifying efforts to curb illegal abortions and further improve the state's sex ratio under the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign.
The meeting highlighted the recent success of government initiatives: Haryana’s sex ratio improved to 906 till June 23 this year, up from 902 in the corresponding period last year.
During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary mandated intensified enforcement against illegal abortions, with a clear directive for officials to pursue strict punitive action, including cancellation of licence, for any doctors found complicit. He directed officials to intensify raids at ultrasound and MTP centres and also increase registration drives, particularly in Charkhi Dadri district, where targeted interventions are required. The task force decided to chargesheet former CMO of Charkhi Dadri, Dr. Rajvinder Malik, for persistent non-performance in duties related to sex ratio monitoring.
Further, the functioning of SAHELIs associated with pregnant women—especially those where incidents of abortions have been reported—will be closely monitored to ensure accountability. The Additional Chief Secretary ordered strict surveillance of Community Health Centres (CHCs) and instructed that accountability be fixed on Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) in areas where illegal abortions are being reported. In a specific case, he directed the officiating SMO of CHC-Gopi, Bhiwani, Dr. M. Nehra, to be chargesheeted due to low sex ratio in his area.
To tackle cross-border illegal abortion activities, the health officials were directed to coordinate with their counterparts in neighbouring districts and organize joint meetings to strengthen enforcement and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
The Additional Chief Secretary directed that any woman arriving at a hospital with bleeding symptoms must undergo reverse tracking and be tested to determine whether she has consumed Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) pills. If any violation of the law is detected, appropriate legal action must be taken without delay.
The meeting was informed that during the past week (June 17 to June 23, 2025), 28 inspections were conducted across the state over the illegal sale of MTP kits in which 1 shop was sealed and two FIRs were lodged. The number of wholesalers selling MTP kits has been reduced from 32 to 3 within one and a half months in Haryana and the sale trend of MTP kits has seen a significant decline in 15 districts of the state. The registration of an AYUSH doctor in Kharkhoda, Sonipat was cancelled and FIR was lodged against him over illegal abortion practices.
The Additional Chief Secretary emphasized the need to expand the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ campaign to urban areas as well. He directed officials to actively involve Deputy Commissioners and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in creating awareness among urban populations about the importance of saving the girl child. He called for regular awareness campaigns to be organized in public parks and other community spaces, authorizing the concerned Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to deploy officials for this purpose. Awareness rallies will be organized in public parks, featuring banners that prominently display the district's sex ratio to sensitize the community. The Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) will serve as the overall in-charge of all health-related activities within their respective districts.
In addition, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) will be actively involved in efforts to curb illegal abortion practices. For this purpose, Nodal Officers from the ULBs will be appointed to support enforcement and awareness initiatives. Furthermore, postgraduate students of Social and Preventive Medicine in medical colleges will be engaged in urban areas to strengthen community awareness and outreach efforts.
Additionally, the Women and Child Development Department was directed to undertake dedicated campaigns on social media platforms to further amplify the message.
The officials were also instructed to identify SAHELIs who have played a key role in ensuring the successful delivery of girl children. Such SAHELIs will be incentivized by the respective CMOs as a means to recognize their efforts and encourage broader community participation in this important cause.