Dismal sex ratio in 19 Panipat villages

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, May 29

The Haryana Government’s claim of improvement in sex ratio seems to be unfounded at least in Panipat, from where Prime Minister Narender Modi had launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Abhiyan last year. In all, 19 villages have reported sex ratio less than 500, while seven others have 500 women against 1,000 men.

The data for the first quarter of this year shows that the overall sex ratio in the district has been 880 women against 1,000 men. Kutani village has the lowest sex ratio of 83 followed by Nain (182).

Seven villages with sex ratio of 500 are Pasina Khurd, Dumyana, Dhindar, Machroli, Goela Khera, Joshi and Haldana. In the first quarter of this year, it has came down to 880 females against 1000 males.

Of 61 registered ultrasound centres in the district, five were closed earlier and four seized on last Tuesday. Chander Shekhar Khare (DC) expressed dissatisfaction with dismal sex ratio at a meeting on May 11.

“The data of villages is calculated every month to scrutinise the working of Multi-Purpose Health Workers (MPHW), ANMs and ASHA workers in villages with low sex ratio,” said Dr Sudhir Batra, Deputy Civil Surgeon.

“We are holding meetings of the field staff, including MPHWs, ANMs and ASHA workers, daily and asking for reasons behind the dismal sex ratio. Raids are being conducted regularly at ultrasound centres and medical stores to stop female foeticide,” he added.