Declining sex ratio major cause of concern: CM

New Delhi, Dec 16 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today expressed grave concern over the deteriorating sex ratio in the country and reiterated that her government will take recourse to all possible measures to curb evil practices like female foeticide.

Speaking at a day-long seminar on female foeticide organised by Delhi Legal Services Authority, Mrs Dikshit said the declining sex ratio is creating a social and natural imbalance.

It has also decayed social relations, which were regarded as a binding force, the Chief Minister added.

Pointing out that even effluent members of the society have also been found involved in the cases of female foeticide, Ms Dikshit stressed upon the need for bringing effective awareness against female foeticide.

All important functionaries of social political and religious organisations should come forward in bringing awareness which would go a long way in overcoming this social problem.

The Chief Minister said that Modern technology combined with preference for sons rather than daughters has led to the mushrooming of clinics across India where parents approach for determination of sex of their unborn child.

It has also been observed that parents prefer abortion after being told about the possibility of a girl child. In this context, she informed that the young men in Punjab and Haryana were finding it hard to find brides. She also said that it is very unfortunate that more than one crore women die due to abortion.

Ms Dikshit said the government would tackle this problem by not only supporting and carrying out a comprehensive public awareness campaign but also by bringing about effective legislation that would provide a fool-proof system of auditing records of ultra sound diagnostic centres.

She said the provisions of PNDT Act require enforcement in true spirit. The Chief Minister also informed about the steps being taken by her government in making people feel about the importance and relevance of girl child.

She mentioned about the Ladli scheme and a grand celebration of girl child which was organised by the city-government last year at India Gate Lawns which proved to be a catalyst force in bringing girl child to the forefront in social life.

Ms Dikshit stated that her government has started giving financial assistance on the birth of girl child, which would be accumulated in due course. The amount being released by Government in phases would have redemption value of Rs 1 lac on attaining age of 18 by the girl child.

The City-government has also granted relief to women in stamp duty on registration of property in her name. Apart from this, a number of concessions are being provided to girl students in Delhi.

Also present at the seminar, held at Vigyan Bhawan, were Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Dr M K Sharma, Justice T S Thakur and Justice Rekha Sharma.

Congratulating the Delhi Legal Services Authority for organising such an important seminar on Female Foeticide in the Capital city, the Chief Minister exhorted legal community to come forward and provide useful assistance and counselling to all those women including girl children who seek their assistance after denial of due concessions and rights.

UNI