Sangrur waits for funds to kick off 'Beti Bacaho' campaign in a big way

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to launch 'Beti Bachao' campaign on January 22, but the cash-starved administration of the district was still waiting for the funds to kick off the campaign in a big way on the same day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to launch 'Beti Bachao' campaign on January 22, but the cash-starved administration of the district was still waiting for the funds to kick off the campaign in a big way on the same day.

Having a skewed sex ratio of 843 females per 1,000 males, the district tops the state in terms of low sex ratio and the campaign is supposed to correct the imbalance.

But the officers in the district administration confirmed that they needed about Rs 50 lakh to chalk out a special campaign at the village level, but the money has not reached yet, despite the district administration having written to the government for funds.

"We have prepared a special programme for the campaign, which includes plays, wall writings, radio talks, pamphlets, seminars, camps and video films at every village, but we are waiting for the funds for which we have already written to the state government," said a senior officer of the district administration, on the condition of not disclosing his name.

When contacted, Sangrur deputy commissioner Arshdeep Singh Thind said, "Yes the district administration was planning a special awareness campaign on that day, and also having a poor sex ratio the district needs a special attention."

Briefing about the awareness drive, district programme officer Avtar Kaur said that first they will focus on the villages with lowest sex ratio, then the drive will be taken to the entire district.