Rapidly declining child sex ratio was a major concern for Rajasthan government five years back. Despite implementing strict rules against female feticide, the state lost countless daughters through this evil practice. Gender biasness and social prejudice are leading causes behind increasing cases of female foeticide in Rajasthan. Many at times, it was hard to catch offenders because hospital authorities were equally involved with them. In 2015, Vasundhara Raje government launched Mukhbir Yojana to catch culprits in act. Within two years, Rajasthan child sex ratio improved by 16 points. Not only this, the requests for fetal sex determination dropped significantly since last year.
30 successful decoy operations were conducted in just one year. Thrilled by this success, the government has raised incentives under Mukbhir Yojana to prevent fatal sex determination. The fund offered to Mukhbir (reporters of crime against unborn daughters) is Rs 2.5 lakh. Not only this, the health department has increased number of ‘tagged’ sonography machines in government hospitals to keep an eye on patients that come for sex determination. These decisions were taken in the PCPNDT (pre conception & pre natal diagnostic techniques) meeting by Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf, this February.
What is Mukhbir?
Mukhbir is a decoy operation launched by Rajasthan police and their helpers (a pregnant lady and the informant). Cops and reporters dressed in civil clothes approach hospital authorities allegedly involved in sex determination of unborn fetus. The troop of cops detains doctors, who’re allegedly involved in female abortions.
One year back, the government offered Rs 80,000 to pregnant women, Rs 80,000 to the informants that provide leads against hospitals and Rs. 40,000 to the person assisting pregnant ladies (cop dressed in civil clothes). Thus, the total reward offered for Mukhbir scheme was Rs 2 lakh in 2015.
Following government’s announcement, Rs 1 lakh each will be awarded to pregnant ladies and informants. Rs 50,000 will be given to the policemen assisting the expectant lady.
The government has completely restricted sex tests through sonography machines. They built a special warehouse for government-registered sonography machines deployed in the government hospitals. At present, Rajasthan has 2,718 registered sonography machines in various government hospitals. Moreover, 1 lakh students studying in colleges and training institutes have been involved in raising awareness regarding sex determination test.
Thanks to these efforts, the child sex ratio has upped to 939 in Rajasthan. The government is hopeful that these endeavors will encourage more natives to involve in this scheme.
