State’s first ‘Balika Manch’ opens in Hoshiarpur

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, October 13

The first “Balika Manch” of Punjab has been established in Hoshiarpur to put an end to domestic violence and also provide a secure environment to the school-going girls.

Deputy Commissioner Vipul Ujwal said this during a visit to Government Senior Secondary School, Khadkan, on the occasion of the establishment of the “Balika Manch”. He said the Manch would prove to be a platform for the all-round development of girls as per the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme of the Women and Child Development Ministry.

The DC urged the children to report any incident of domestic violence to the Manch.

He said the initiative would be replicated in high and senior secondary schools of the district and said that only girl students would be included in the Manch whose convener would be a teacher.

The police and education departments would exhort the school girls to report the incidents of eve teasing without any fear or hesitation. Ujwal said the Police Department should send its personnel in plain clothes to schools and they must coordinate with the District Education Officers (DEOs) on making the girls aware about bringing to light incidents involving eve-teasing or passing of lewd remarks.

The DC also inaugurated an infant protection home (Panghura) at Government Hospital, Hoshiarpur, and said no inquiry would be made in respect of anyone placing an orphaned child in the “panghura” which would prove to be a boon for these children. He said such children would be sent to Nari Niketan after necessary medication and vaccination to ensure they get a home after those interested in adopting them complete the required process.

Others present during the programme included Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Anupam Kler, District Programme Officer Dr Kuldeep Singh and District Child Protection Officer Dr Harpreet Kaur, besides other officers.