STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Directorate of Health Services, Jammu organized a one-day workshop on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act, 1994 in Jammu on Friday to strengthen awareness regarding the Act and to curb the menace of gender-based sex selection.
The programme commenced with the arrival of the Chief Guest, Director Health Services, Jammu Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and Saraswati Vandana presented by students of ANMT School, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu.
An introductory session was delivered by Dr. Simmi Verma, Assistant Director, Health Education Bureau and Nodal Officer, PC & PNDT Act, who highlighted the objectives of the workshop and stressed strict implementation of the Act. A film on female foeticide and legal provisions of PC & PNDT Act was also screened to sensitize the participants.
During the technical sessions, Shivali Gupta, Law Officer, deliberated upon the legal framework and penalties under the PC & PNDT Act. The Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu and the Director, Health Services, Jammu, addressed the gathering and emphasized collective responsibility in preventing sex determination practices. A poster regarding prohibition of sex determination and female foeticide was formally released in presence of Raman Sharma, Dy. Director Planning, Directorate of Health Services, Jammu and Rajni Gupta, FA/CAO, Directorate of Health Services, Jammu followed by the broadcast of an awareness jingle to reinforce the message of saving the girl child. In the post-lunch session, Dr. Simmi Verma again addressed participants on operational aspects of the Act, followed by a lecture by Bhupinder Singh Sasan. A powerful nukkad natak was presented by the team of professional Artists brought to the event by the Information Department and a SKIT was also presented by the students of ANMT School, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, effectively conveyed the social and legal consequences of female foeticide and received wide appreciation from the audience.
The workshop concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Simmi Verma, who acknowledged the efforts of the organizing team of officers/officials of different sections of Directorate of Health Services, Jammu and all participants for making the programme successful.
