Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 20: The efforts made by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in last few years to increase child sex ratio has yielded positive results as Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in the UT has improved by 10 points.
In addition to health care indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Full Immunization Coverage and Life Expectancy at Birth, where J&K is already ranking among first few states/UTs in the country, the UT has also made a considerable improvement in SRB and has attained 6th position among 22 States/UTs surveyed.
The recently released Sample Registration System (SRS) data by the office of the Registrar General of India showed that SRB in J&K has improved by 10 points from 917 (in 2015-17) to 927 (in 2016-18). In rural areas, the UT did much better by showing improvement of 11 points during the same period.
As per SRS data, 15 out of 22 States/UTs where the survey was carried out, showed improvement in SRB with maximum increase of 15 points recorded in Rajasthan, followed by Himachal Pradesh (12 points) and Gujarat (11 points) while J&K, Haryana and Assam showed improvement by 10 points each. However, at national level, there is improvement of 3 points only from 896 (in 2015-17) to 899 (in 2016-18).
Commenting on this achievement of the UT, Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner (FC), Health and Medical Education Department, J&K, said this has become possible through effective implementation of Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act 1994 that created deterrence on one hand and simultaneously positive environment created by the Government for the girl child by launching a sustained Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign.
“The innovative interventions like decoy operations, informer incentives’ scheme, awarding villages that improved their Sex Ratio at Birth and Ladli Beti Scheme for new born girl child have also had a great impact for improving the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) in Jammu & Kashmir,” the FC said, adding, this progress needs to be sustained and improved through concerted efforts to ensure that the girl children have an equal opportunity to survive and thrive.
Dulloo reiterated that the effective implementation of PC&PNDT Act and all other interventions and schemes aimed at creating the positive environment for girl child in the UT of J&K shall continue to remain on top agenda of Government of J&K and Department of Health & Medical Education. He also hoped that in the upcoming SRS report all health indicators including Sex Ratio at Birth will show a much better performance.
Meanwhile, SRB declined in 7 States with maximum decline of 6 points recorded in Delhi followed by Odisha, Karnataka and Bihar by 5 points each.
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