Lucknow:- Condemning the pratice of female foeticide, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said his government will ensure “strict compliance” with the law against it even as he called for a “change in mentality” to fight the menace.
“The government will deal with the problem with full sincerity and ensure strict compliance with the law for checking female foeticide,” he said at a programme here to honour women achievers.
The chief minister further stressed that ending the evil would “also require a change in mentality”.
“Girls are the strength of the family… nobody can forget Rani Laxmibai… she was the symbol of woman power,” he said.
Stressing that his government has been working for the “honour, security and progress of women”, Yadav cited various schemes in Uttar Pradesh being run specifically for them.
He also said that of the 17 lakh laptops distributed among students in the state, a good chunk went to girl students.
“Women make up half the population of the country and they cannot be ignored. Any country where women lag behind cannot progress,” he said.
On the occasion, Yadav announced a cash reward of Rs 11 lakh for Kalbaliya dancer Gulabo Sapera.
PTI
