In a significant development, the sex ratio in Haryana has shown an upward trend 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 said on Saturday.
Addressing a Press conference here along with Health Minister Anil Vij, he credited the success of the ambitious programme to State’s multi-pronged strategy implemented under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign. 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.
Referring to the statistics of other districts for the same period, he said that district Panchkula has registered sex ratio of 961, Karnal 959, Fatehabad 952, Gurgaon 946, Sonepat 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,” a jubilant Khattar said.
The ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ programme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Panipat on January 22, last year. Another campaign ‘Selfie with Daughter’ too helped the cause. Khattar added that the Prime Minister had also stated during a public function that Haryana, which was earlier known for killing daughters, is now being recognised for its efforts in saving daughters.
Khattar appreciated Health Minister Anil Vij, Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister, Kavita Jain, and all officials of Health, WCD, Police, Prosecution, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Public Relations Department for their concerted and dedicated efforts during the last seven months.
He said, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ Secretariat was established in his office for effective implementation and monitoring by coordinating the efforts of Health, Women and Child Development and Education Departments. “Effective monitoring was carried out through extensive field visits by dedicated teams from state headquarters and regular video conferencing was conducted with DCs and other district officers,” he added.
“DCs 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, from June, 2015, till date. As many as 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,” he gave the details.
The Chief Minister said that inter-state raids were conducted successfully in bordering states Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab under these Acts. He said in another approach, awareness rallies, ‘prabhat pheris’, health camps, baby shows and signature campaigns were organised to create awareness among the people of the State.
Giving example of Sirsa, he said the 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 persons were arrested and convicted in the district,” pointed out on the reasons for the success of the scheme in the district.
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, said that 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.