Chandigarh, March 8- Haryana Government has taken steps to ensure that the state is anemia and malnutrition free. Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal launched a Campaign in this regard during a State-Level function organized on the occasion of International Women's Day.
Besides this, for ensuring a safe environment for women, the Chief Minister laid emphasis that the state will take stringent steps to reduce the cases of crimes against women and strict action will be taken against the guilty. Speaking on the International Women’s Day Celebrations here the Chief Minister said that today women are excelling in every field and the state is sensitive towards decreasing the incidences of crime against women. Sh. Manohar Lal was addressing the participants present in the programmes across the state from the State Level Programme organised at the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh through video conferencing.
Among those present on this occasion were Education Minister, Sh. Kanwar Pal, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda, Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan, Commissioner and Secretary of Women and Child Development Department, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agarwal, Deputy Principal Secretary, Smt. Ashima Brar and other senior officers of the Women and Child Development Department.
Other than starting a campaign for ensuring that the state is anemia and malnutrition free the Chief Minister also inaugurated 30 model crèches. Besides this, the state also plans to introduce 500 model crèches in the state through mobile crèches.
Whatsapp Women Helpline started
Further upgrading women’s safety the Chief Minister today started Whatsapp Women Helpline. Now, women of the state can also complain through WhatsApp on the number 9478913181 in case of emergency. Earlier, the help line number 181 was available for assistance.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister shared that numerous schemes ensuring women empowerment are being run in the state under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi. Sharing more details he said that the state provides 50 per cent reservation to women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Reiterating that the state should ensure safety of women, Sh. Manohar Lal said that the government has enacted strict laws to curb crime against women. However, mere implementation of strict laws will not ensure a safe and secure environment for women, he added. Elaborating on it, he said that it can be ensued only through imbibing right values among people. Emphasising that mother plays a pivotal role in everyone’s life the Chief Minister went down the memory lane and said that if my mother had not supported me, I would not have been able to reach here today.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda said that Haryana Government has taken effective steps for the welfare of women. Haryana is the first state in the country to become kerosene free. This has been possible only due to the vision of the Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal. Elaborating on it, he said that presently Haryana has 8,20,572 free domestic gas connections provided under the Central Government Scheme which helped women get rid of traditional cooking methods.
Chief Secretary, Sh. Vijai Vardhan hailed women power with very emotional words. He read a poem ‘Mein Bharat Ki Beti' penned by his wife on the occasion.
MOUs signed to ensure women friendly environment
The Department of Women and Child Development has signed several MoUs regarding issues related to safety of women. Besides this, the MOU was signed for model creches, Kailash Satyarthi's NGO signed MOU with regard to Bachpan Bachao Abhiyan.
Outstanding women honoured
On the occasion women who excelled in various fields were also honoured. Sirsa, Bhiwani and Sonipat districts were awarded first, second and third prizes respectively for their outstanding performance in enhancing sex ratio. Prizes of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh were given for these awards. These awards were presented to the Deputy Commissioners of these districts.
Besides this, Nuh, Mahendragarh and Panchkula were awarded the first, second and third prizes respectively for state-level nutrition award. An amount of Rs 2 lakh, Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50, 000 was given for this award. The Deputy Commissioners of these districts received these awards. Also, 38 women were also awarded for outstanding work in sports, social work and staff.
Furthermore, Kumari Sumedha Dhani and Dr. Priyanka Soni were given the Indira Gandhi Mahila Shakti Award. Kalpana Chawla Shaurya Award was given to Smt. Asha and Life Time Achievement Award to Smt. Bhagwati Devi Yadav. Apart from this, women were awarded for their outstanding achievements in Sports, Social Sector, Women Empowerment along with Anganwadi workers.
Dhapo Tai inspiring people to curb female foeticide
The Chief Minister shared the inspirational story of Dhapo Tai in Jhajjar district. These ‘Tais’ move from door to door in their district to counsel families to stop the menace of female foeticide. Now, 25 women have joined the campaign of ‘Dhapo Tai’ in the district. Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal interacted with Dhapo Tai digitally and urged to them extend their campaign of ‘Nanhe Dhapo Tai’ across the state. Elaborating on it he said that the situation in Haryana was initially worse with regard to gender ratio. He further added that at one point people believed that female foeticide was very rampant in Haryana. The gender ratio which was 871 girls against 1,000 boys in 2014 has now increased to 922 girls. All this has become possible due to the awareness of the society and the strictness of the government.
‘Hari Har Scheme’
In yet another move to provide protection and shelter to abandoned children the state of Haryana announced ‘Hari Har Scheme’ for the abandoned children. Haryana Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal touched by the life story of an abandoned child decided that the state will be the guardian of the abandoned children. Sharing details of the Scheme on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Sh Manohar Lal said the abandoned child will be given shelter at state run destitute home till 18 years of age and thereafter the state will provide financial aid to him/her for further education. The destitute children who have completed schooling will be eligible for Grade C & D government jobs on basis of ex-gratia till 25 years of age. If the child completes graduation then he will be provided reservation in Group A & B government jobs under EWS category.
Sports policies will apply equally for Paralympics and Para Athletics as well
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that under New Sports Policy now be applicable for players of both Paralympics and Para Athletics and these categories will be eligible for all the facilities that the players of General Category get. Paralympian Deepa Malik brought this to the notice of the state government thereafter this decision was taken.