Chandigarh, July 15 (IANS): Informers of sex determination tests in Haryana will now get 150 percent increased incentive of Rs.50,000, Health Minister Rao Narender Singh said here Tuesday.
He said the money has been hiked from the earlier sum of Rs.20,000. This decision was taken at a meeting held Tuesday.
The reward is given to informers for enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
"Consistent efforts made by the department have resulted in the sex ratio improving to 878 in May 2014, up seven points over the corresponding period last year. Today, the sex ratio is more than 900 girls to 1,000 boys in six districts of the state. It ranges between 800 and 900 in the remaining districts. Mahendergarh is the only district where the sex ratio is below 800," a health department spokesman said.
The minister directed officers to analyze statistics of the past 10 years to figure out the reasons behind low sex ratio in the districts.
Haryana's sex ratio statistics are among the worst in the country.
"There has been considerable improvement in bringing to book the accused under the PCPNDT Act during the last year. So far, 54 people have been convicted in 97 cases in lower courts and 49 cases in upper courts. Of these, 33 were doctors. Similarly, during the past six years, eight accused have been convicted, including five doctors," the spokesman said.