200 FIRs in connection with illegal sex tests in Bihar: Govt

Expressing concern over low sex ratio in Bihar, state government today told the Assembly that 200 FIRs were registered last year in connection with illegal sex determination tests at ultrasound centres.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shrawan Kumar said 620 ultrasound centres had been raided last year and FIR registered against 200 such facilities for conducting illegal sex determination test.
Replying to a short notice question of JD(U) MLA Shyam Rajak, Kumar was speaking on behalf of Health Minister Tej Pratap Yadav.
Rajak, who is Deputy Leader of the House, said Bihar stood at the 25th position in sex ratio in the country. While the national average is 940 females per 1000 males, the same was 916 in Bihar, he claimed.

Expressing concern over the figure, the minister said there were 2,020 ultrasound diagnostic centres in Bihar, of which 1,621 were in government hospitals and 399 in private health facilities.
He said the state government was working to raise awareness among people on the issue by adopting policies in favour of girl child.

Citing the state's 'cycle scheme', he said since the initiative came into force the number of girls enrolling into secondary schools has substantially improved.
Against 1.15 lakh girls enrolled in class IX in 2005, at present the number was 8.28 lakh girls at that level, he said.
The minister said the central government's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' programme was also being implemented in Bihar sincerely.