Alive News/ Chandigarh: For the first time in 10 years, the sex ratio at birth for December 2015 has crossed the 900 mark in Haryana. As per the government, sex ratio was recorded at 903 girls against 1,000 boys last month.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, during a press conference here today, credited the success of the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme to the state’s multi-pronged strategy implemented under the Centre’s campaign.
In all, 12 districts recorded sex ratio above the 900 mark in December 2015. Sirsa topped the list with the sex ratio of 999 girls per 1,000 boys.
Panchkula has registered the sex ratio of 961, Karnal 959, Fatehabad 952, Gurgaon 946, Sonepat 942, Jind 940, Rewari 931, Mewat 923, Bhiwani and Mahendragarh 912 each and Hisar 906.
Khattar said tough measures were taken while implementing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, 1994, and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971. In all, 58 and 72 cases were registered under the PC-PNDT and MTP Acts, respectively, from June 2015 till date. Altogether, 18 cases were registered on the charge of selling sex-selection drugs to ensure birth of a boy and nearly 50 cases were lodged for the illegal sale of MTP kits.
“In Sirsa, sex ratio at birth increased from 948 in October 2015 to 978 in November to 999 in December,” the Chief Minister said.
When asked if the state government would consider making outstanding sportswomen of Haryana brand ambassadors instead of Bollywood actresses, the Chief Minister replied in the affirmative and added the government had not spent money on such brand ambassadors, as their services were voluntary.
To end female foeticide, Health Minister Anil Vij said the state government had announced a scheme to offer Rs 1 lakh as reward for reporting violations of the PC-PNDT and MTP Acts. “In all, 17 informers have been rewarded,” he said.
