'Population Fortnight' in Rajasthan

By Our Staff Correspondent

JAIPUR, SEPT 1. The Rajasthan Government is observing a ``Population Fortnight'' from September 1 to 15 to evolve a positive attitude among the public in favour of stabilisation of population growth. The fortnight is being structured around the targets fixed in the newly-established Rajiv Gandhi Population Mission.

According to an official announcement said here, the State's population policy - announced in January 2000 - will be another element guiding the fortnight-long campaign. The Chief Medical and Health Officers have been made in charge of the programme in their respective districts.

The fortnight was formally launched at a special function organised at S.S. Jain Subodh College here this morning. The Governor, Mr. Anshuman Singh, the Minister of State for Health, Mr. Rajendra Chaudhary, and the Secretary, Medical and Health Department, Mr. B.P. Arya and others attended the function.

The emphasis would be on building up a favourable atmosphere by holding regular meetings of district officials, executive officers of various corporations and municipal bodies and elected representatives. Cooperation of Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and voluntary bodies in the health sector would also be sought during the campaign.

These meetings would be organised mostly at the Aanganbadi centres and the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and a special programme would be arranged on at least one specific day. The responsibility for various works has been entrusted to different Government departments.

The State Education Department would be holding debate and quiz programmes in the secondary and senior secondary schools. Similarly, the cooperative bodies and Agriculture, Revenue and Industries Departments will be organising workshops in their respective offices to generate awareness on the population- related issues.

The Civil Supplies and Transport Departments will organise exhibitions of population education material. All government departments have been instructed to extend cooperation for successful completion of the fortnight at both district and State levels. The population of Rajasthan, which was 4.4 crores according to the 1991 Census, has gone up to 5.65 crores in 2001, according to the provisional figures of the latest Census.

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Section  : Other States
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