Members in Assly raise alarm over rising sex determination tests

Jaipur, Feb 28 (UNI) Members in the Rajasthan Assembly today expressed concern over the alarming trend of sex determination tests and ''imbalanced'' sex ratio in some districts of the state.

They also criticised the state government's machinery over the reports of deaths allegedly due to consumption of contaminated water in some localities of Jaipur during the last few months.

Mr Rao Rajendra Singh (BJP) raised the issue of ''disturbing sex ratio'' and female foeticide in the Question Hour. He expressed his concern over the alarming trend prevailing in this regard in some parts of the state, including Dholpur district.

Quoting a survey conducted by an NGO in Dholpur, Bharatpur and some other areas, Mr Singh asked what action the state government had taken on the report.

However, Health Minister Narpat Singh Rajvi said neither the government had conducted survey in recent years nor had it received any such report from the NGO.

Mr Rajvi said the state government was sensitive and sincere about the issue and the laws and regulations enacted for curbing malpractice had been enforced appropriately.

Action had been taken against 48 sonography centres for conducting sex determination tests, he added.

He said the situation was improving in the state as sex ratio, which was 1000:910 in 1991 census, had improved to 1000:921 in 2001 census.

However, Mr Singh and other members, including Mahir Azad and Dr C S Baid were not convinced with the reply and wanted that the government observe more vigil on the issue, especially in places like Dholpur, Bharatpur, Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh.

Other members Brijkishore Sharma, B D Kalla and Pramod Jain Bhaya tried to dock the PHED Minister Sanwar Lal Jat over the issue of reported deaths due to the alleged use of contaminated water in Jaipur.

Mr Sharma insisted that the deaths occurred due to consumption of contaminated water quoting medical reports of two patients. But, the Minister maintained that the deaths were caused by routine diseases.

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