Thaindian News

Chandigarh, June 26 (IANS) Carrying out a sting operation to expose illegal sex determination tests in Punjab can now earn you a reward of Rs 50,000, a minister announced Sunday.

Punjab has a sex ratio of 893 females per 1,000 males, one of the worst among states in the country.

Embarrassed by the poor sex ratio, Punjab Health Minister Satpal Gosain announced an award for any journalist or non-journalist who expose female foeticide through a sting operation.

The health minister said that this was being done in order to eradicate the social evil of female foeticide from Punjab region and to improve the sex ratio.

Gosain said that the new policy, which will promote sting operations against sex determination tests, was aimed at saving the girl child.

“According to this scheme any journalist or commoner, who will initiate a sting operation would be awarded with an amount of Rs.50,000,” Gosain said.

He said that an amount of Rs.5 lakh (Rs.500,000) would reserved every year for promoting sting operations against the evil.

In case of information given to government information about the illegal tests by any informer, he would be given a reward of Rs.20,000, if the details turn out to be true.

He said that a provision had also been made to reward village panchayats where the sex ratio improves.