Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, May 17: An orientation meeting was convened under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner R.K Varma to discuss strategy for smooth launching of pilot project entitled, ‘Thematic Convergence Project on Declining Child Sex Ratio” in district Samba being implemented in collaboration with Union Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
On this occasion, it was informed by Sanjeev Arora, Gender Convergence Officer, Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, through power point presentation that National Mission for Empowerment of Women was launched by Ministry of WCD on International Women’s Day in 2010 and started pilot project on declining Child Sex Ratio in 12 districts spread across 7 States in the country including district Samba in J&K.
It was also informed that Samba district stands 2nd among first 20 districts having lowest Child Sex Ratio in the country and this mission is being headed by Prime Minister of India who is personally monitoring the progress of this project in 12 districts.
Mr Sanjeev during the presentation spoke about various issues concerning the declining child sex ratio especially sharp decline of CSR from 2001 to 2011 with the help of latest 2011 census figures. He also talked about various causes for declining CSR primarily biological factors, migration, patriarchal structure of society, preference of son, inferior status of girl child and sex selective abortions which has actually led to many societal problems like rape, sexual harassment, abduction, bride selling and forced marriages. Some measures were also suggested in the meeting like strict enforcement of PC&PNDT Act and motivating the people and religious leaders.
District Development Commissioner R.K Varma at the end instructed all district and block level officers to support the CSR project in the district as CSR issue is very vital for the society to address. He emphasized that PRIs can play a pivotal role to make this pilot project a success. He also directed the Gender Convergence Officer to come up with a action plan for implementation of pilot project in 50 Gram Panchayats.
Among others meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Vikram Jamwal, Chief Planning Officer, Sant Ram, Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kartar Chand, Sapna Salathia District Statistic and Evaluation Officer, Ravi Dubey, Chief Education, Officer, Vikas Anand District Information Officer, District Panchayat Officer, ICDS Nodal officer, CDPOs of Samba, Vijaypur and Purmandal blocks, Block Development Officers, Ghaghwal and Purmandal and Executive Officers MC Samba, Vijaypur, Ramgarh.