Low male-female ratio: Haryana families 'buy' women from UP

Lucknow, July 18 (UNI) Six western districts of Uttar Pradesh have witnessed an alarming disparity in the gender ratio.

The state Welfare Department, which isued the figures, said while the national average was 1000:927, the districts of Agra, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bagpat and Muzzafarnagar -- all bordering the national capital -- have recored a ratio of 860 women to 1000 men as per the 2001 census.

Chairperson of the State Welfare Board Anjana Prakash said here that the UP average was 916 women to 1000 men, which was more as compared to Delhi (821), Haryana (861), Punjab (874) and Union Territory of Chandigarh (773).

She claimed that in certain cases, families from Haryana had ''bought'' girls from certain districts of UP for the marriage of their men. ''Once a male child was born, the girl was either sent back home or abandoned,'' she claimed.

The Board chairperson alleged that in certain cases, one women was married to two brothers as the boys' families were unable to find a match.

Meanwhile, the state Welfare Board has decided to launch a 'Beti Bachao Abhiyan' from tomorrow.

The Board would launch the programme with an awareness rally here tomorrow. ''The rally would help spread awareness about the girl child...Several NGOs, intellectuals and doctors would attend the rally,'' Ms Prakash said.

She claimed the constant fall in male-female ratio in UP, especially the western parts indicated that while some women died during pregnancy, the abortion racket was being run without check.

''Women doctors have also agreed to pitch in. They would help us spread awareness againt foeticide. Professionals attached with legal services will inform people about the punishment and penalities involved in illegal termination of pregnancy,'' she said.

The Board chairperson, however, admitted that religious representatives have not been involved in the proposed rally as ''the issue of girl child is involved with cultural-social beliefs.

A consensus is required before they can be involved.'' UNI NAB MB VD KN1525