Child Sex ratio declines to 927

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) With continued preference for sons, neglect of the girl child, female infanticide and foeticide, high maternal mortality, the child sex ratio in the country has declined to 927 from 945.

The sex ratio (SR)(number of females per thousand males) increased from 927 to 933 from 1991 to 2001, but the child sex ratio dipped during the same period.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi said easy availability of sex determination tests may also be proving to be catalyst in the process, which may be further stimulated by pre-conception sex selection facilities.

The Minister said some of the steps taken by the government to improve the Child SR in the country are constitution of the Central Supervisory Board under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Health and Family Welfare whose function is to review and monitor implementation of the Act and rules.

UNI RT SR DS1505