SHIMLA: In an initiative to celebrate the birth of girl child and improve child sex ratio, Sirmaur deputy commissioner Lalit Jain has decided to send a letter (scroll) to every family where a girl is born in the district.The scroll duly signed by the deputy commissioner would express happiness on the birth of the child and would be delivered by the local panchayat members to the newborn’s family along with a sapling. “This is only a small gesture from the administration to show the importance of girl child,” said Jain.For the first time, the district administration has decided to rope in the panchayati raj members in this initiative taken under ‘Beti Padao, Beti Bacaho’ programme.Jain said the scroll, like the one used during Raj era, would remind the girl at later years how her birth was celebrated by the administration along with her family and make her feel proud of herself. “It would read that the deputy commissioner is happy on her birth and wish her success and happiness in life,” he added.He said the initiative would be started from August-September under which representatives of panchayati raj institutions would visit the home where girl child was born to celebrate her birthday.He said family of girl child falling under below poverty line category would also be given Rs 10,000 cheque.Jain said Sirmaur district has a child sex ratio (0-6 years) of 963 girls per 1000 boys. He said Dhagera block has a child sex ratio of 1021 girl per 1000 boys while Sangrah block has a child sex ratio of 930 girls per 1000 boys. He said some areas of district already have good child sex ratio while there are some areas where special attention needs to be given to improve it. He said already all the sub-divisional magistrates have been directed to keep close watch on the ultrasound clinics in their respective areas to check illegal sex determinations.“We already have constituted a task force under sub-divisional magistrates. With the collective efforts, we hope to improve the child sex ratio across the district in the future,” he added

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