Rajasthan CM Ashok Ghelot Says Special Court to be Set Up to Fast Track Sex Determination Cases

Following up on the inaugural episode of his TV show, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has met with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and asked him to set up a special court to fast track trials of female foeticide cases in the state.

Khan had said in his maiden television programme Satyameva Jayate that he would request Chief Minister Gehlot to set up a special court for speedy trial of such cases in the state.

Gehlot assured Khan that he will take up the issue of a fast track court with the state chief justice so that justice is delivered.

To save a girl child and to protect her dignity and importance, the Rajasthan Government has started a drive to combat or stop this inhuman practice.

Therefore, a special state level task force has been set up to check on illegal sex determination at the initial stage of pregnancy.

To put a check on the sex ratio of male and female in balance in the state, an awareness drive has been initiated among the masses to come forward and inform the police about the illegal sex determination cases.

For this noble cause, the prize money of Rs.25000 has been increased to Rs.1 lakh to anyone providing information on illegal sex determination in the state.

It is to be noted that a special provision has been made in the budget to save the girl child from female foeticide , illiteracy, unemployment and other nuisances.

Gender budgeting allocated by the state government for various women oriented schemes, projects etc. is the best possible service in order to emancipate this gender from the orthodox and inhuman people.

Illiteracy in a society, especially for a woman, is a curse that causes problems for mankind, and is also seen as a social evil.

For the positive impact on gender welfare, the state government is spending about Rs.1 crore to facilitate the growth of fertility clinics in all districts of the state.

Couples belonging to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family shall be treated free of cost under this scheme.

Couples earning less than Rs.1 lakh per annum will also get a rebate on purchase of medicines worth of Rs.20, 000.

In the past three years, women have benefited from "Rajasthan Janani Shishu Suraksha Yojna", launched by the chief minister.

Under this program, women were provided free of cost services like, investigations, treatment, blood, food and transport facility to the pregnant women and the neonatal infants from their residence to the hospital and vice a versa, this type of facilities would reduce the maternal and infant casualty rate in the state.

It is a known fact that gender equality plays a vital role in the development of society. However, for a long time, women have been facing gender discrimination.

The Rajasthan Government, however, has been encouraging females to learn and educate themselves.

Several measures have been taken to promote women empowerment.

Out of the 200 Kasturba Gandhi Residential Schools, 140 schools are proposed to be turned into higher secondary schools, especially to provide education to females in the state.

In order to encourage girl students to take up higher studies including agriculture and other related fields stipend amount has been raised at all level. Rs. 5000 for the higher secondary school level girl students and Rs. 10000 and Rs 15000 respectively for B.Sc, M.Sc and doctoral students.

The Chief Minister Mr. Ashok Gehlot has further augmented the access of 'Indira Gandi Priyadarshini Puraskar Yojana' so as to facilitate the general category of girl students along with the other reserve categories including SC/ST.

The recent Rajasthan State Budget for the year 2012-13, has once again proclaimed some remarkable programmes to support the women and offering equal opportunities to both the genders.

Special schemes have been put in operation to bring out the women from their confines and augmenting their social status and also allowing them to prove their mettle in every field.

The Rajasthan Government has been trying to provide employment opportunities to its people, including women too to recruit them in government departments like Aanganbadis, police health etc. to enhance workforce.

The fact that 20,000 new teachers will be recruited in Rajasthan during year 2012-13, also opens job opportunities for men as well as women folk.

About one thousand ANM posts are to be created in the State Tribal Sub Plan area. Moreover in the near future recruitment of ANM is under considerations to developed sub health centers.

There are plans to create a women safety cell at the Women Empowerment Directorate.

There is also a proposal to establish a 'Dhan Laxmi Mahila Samridhi Kendra' in every district of the state in order to provide training to members of self-support groups.

It is expected that these steps by the Gehlot Government would have a positive outcome.

Source: ANI