Gender balance alarming in Chambal

Morena, MP, Jan 12 (UNI) The gender balance in several villages of Madhya Pradesh's ravine-replete Chambal division is an alarming 400 to 600 females for every 1,000 males, a divisional workshop on the Prenatal Sex Determination Act was informed here today.

As many as 335 cases of female foeticide and 200 abortions came to light in dacoity-affected Bhind district over the past six months alone.

''Morena and Bhind are among those Indian districts where the gender balance is plummetting,'' said Divisional Commissioner Ajit Kesri.

Collector (Bhind) Rashmi Arun Sharma quoted a survey as saying that the number of girls was less in every block and maternal mortality rate was about double the state's average.

''A public awareness campaign is underway in the affected areas,'' said Collector (Morena) Akash Tripathi.

UNI