SRINAGAR, Oct 7: The child sex-ratio in the State has shown a remarkable increase from 859 in 2011 to 913 in 2012-2013, the State Government said today.
“According to the 2011 census, the child sex-ratio was 859, but it has increased to 913 in 2012-13,” Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan said here.
The Minister was speaking during a discussion on female foeticide in the State Legislative Council.
Khan said the increase in the ratio was a result of collective efforts of the Government and the civil society, including NGOs and religious leaders, in the State.
Expressing concern over the issue, the Minister said the Government is taking measures to stop female foeticide and conducting awareness camps at hospitals and educational institutions in every nook and corner of the state.
He said 270 USG clinics have been registered in the state under the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, which include 48 Government and 222 private clinics.
The minister said 185 clinics have been brought under ‘Form F’ under which they have to submit online information about the tests conducted by the clinic and the reasons for the diagnosis.
The department has conducted 669 inspections and 70 USG machines have been seized, which includes five such machines seized by the central team that visited the Valley recently, he said.
Khan said cases have been registered against five persons, all of whom are under trial as of now.
Many legislators spoke during the discussion and demanded strict action against all those who conduct abortions and asked for strict implementation of the PNDT Act to serve as a deterrent.
The Minister assured the members of the House that the Act will be implemented effectively and said certain loopholes in the Act were being looked into by the department. (AGENCIES)
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