Members concerned at declining sex ratios in 4 northern states

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Jan 9 (UNI) Members of the Central Supervisory Board (CSB) today reviewed the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act and expressed concern at the declining child sex ration in the zero to six years during 1991 and 2001 in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat.

Though at the all-India level, the ratio has remained constant at 927 females for 1000 males both during 1991 and 2001, the ratio has declined to 896 in 2001 from 976 in 1991 in Himachal Pradesh; to 798 in 2001 from 882 in 1991 in Punjab; to 819 from 865 in Haryana and 883 from 934 in Gujarat.

The board members observed that the decisive battle against foeticide has to be fought in the minds of people since the preference for a son has its roots in prejudices and an anti-women mindset.

They emphasised raising awareness about the true work of women, the irrelevance and also the illegality of sex selection and creating awareness among the people that girls can achieve as much, if not more than boys reaching the masses through the media, religious and ritual leaders.

Present at the 15th meeting of the CSB held here under the chairmanship of Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss while Union Women and Child Welfare Minister Renuka Chaudhary co-chaired the meeting in which Ms Brinda Karat, MP, also participated.

It was decided that a high-level committee under the chairmanship of the Health and Family Welfare Secretary consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Home, Law and Justice including representatives from the medical fraternity be set up to go into the entire problem of violation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act and submit a report along with their recommendations for plugging the loop-holes and strengthening the Act.

The panel will submit its report within the next two months and the same will be taken up at the next meeting of the board for finalisation.

UNI

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