For first time in 10 years, Haryana's sex ratio crosses 900-mark

For the first time in 10 years, sex ratio in Haryana has shown an upward trend, crossing the 900-mark.

"For the first time in 10 years, the sex ratio at birth for December 2015 has crossed the 900 mark with 903 girls per 1,000 boys," Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told media here.

Haryana has had the dubious record of being the worst among states in sex ratio with just 879 females per 1,000 males.

"While 12 districts have recorded sex ratio above the 900 mark in December 2015, district Sirsa tops the list with sex ratio of 999 girls per 1,000 boys," Khattar said.

"In Sirsa district, sex ratio at birth increased from 948 in October 2015, to 978 in November, and to 999 in December. A big nexus of quacks, health workers, touts and registered medical practitioners, were busted by Sirsa police with the help of the health department and about 40 people were arrested and convicted in the district," said Khattar.

Out of the 100 worst districts in India for sex ratio, Haryana accounts for 12 districts.

The chief minister credited the improvement of the sex ratio to the state's multi-pronged strategy implemented under the "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the state's Panipat town in January last year to promote the cause of the girl child.

Khattar said that district Panchkula has registered a sex ratio of 961, Karnal 959, Fatehabad 952, Gurgaon 946, Sonipat 942, Jind 940, Rewari 931, Mewat 923, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh 912 and Hisar of 906.

"A target to achieve sex ratio above 950 within the next six months has now been set for the entire state," he said.

Khattar lauded Health Minister Anil Vij, Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain, and all officials of health, women and child development, police, prosecution, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public relations department for their concerted efforts during the last seven months to achieve improvement in sex ratio.

He further said that deputy commissioners led the charge in their respective districts and tough measures were taken while implementing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, and Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.

"As many as 58 and 72 FIRs were registered under the provisions of the PCPNDT and MTP Acts, respectively, from June 2015, till date. 18 cases of sale of sex selection drugs to ensure birth of male child were registered and about 50 FIRs were lodged for illegal sale of MTP kits. Apart from this, prominent personalities like ex-MLA, Indri, Karnal, who was caught red-handed while getting a sex detection test conducted, were put behind bars," he pointed out.

Khattar said that inter-state raids were conducted successfully in bordering states Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab under these acts.

Vij said that in order to end female foeticide, the state government had earlier announced a scheme to offer Rs.1 lakh as reward for reporting violations of the PCPNDT and MTP Acts. "As many as 17 such informers have so far been rewarded," he said.

--Indo-Asian News Service

js/vd