Sex ratio dips by 19 points in UP: NFHS report

ALARMING In contrast, report shows states infamous for female foeticide, Haryana and Rajasthan, recording substantial improvements

LUCKNOW: Even as the union government is placing thrust on its ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (save and educate the girl child) campaign, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) for 2015-16 has made some shocking revelations. The sex ratio in Uttar Pradesh has declined by 19 points in comparison to 2014-15. Meanwhile, Haryana and Rajasthan have bettered their position.

“According to the recent survey, the sex ratio in Uttar Pradesh is getting worse, while there is improvement in Haryana and Rajasthan, where female foeticide has been quite prevalent,” said Subhashini Ali, women’s activist and national president of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) while addressing media persons on Friday.

Ali said the total sex ratio at birth in Haryana was recorded as 836 females per 1000 males, 887 females per 1000 males in Rajasthan, and 903 females per 1000 males in UP.

While the figures would make it appear that UP was performing better, Ali said the sex-ratios in Haryana and Rajasthan had improved by 72 and 44 points respectively. On the other hand, it has declined by 19 points in Uttar Pradesh.

Ali said that irregular meetings of the district and the state advisory committees (meant to check female foeticide) were to blame for the state of affairs in UP.

“As per norms, the district advisory committee meeting should be held every two months, and the state advisory committee should meet up every four months. However, the last meeting of the state advisory committee was convened in May 2015,” said Madhu Garg, state president, AIDWA. “Moreover, the ‘Mukhbir Yojana’ (aimed at tipping off authorities about female foeticide) also seems to be ineffective,” she added.

The ‘Mukhbir Yojana’ was announced in the state after the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government.

Activist Seema Rana said female foeticide was causing a sharp drop in the sex ratio at birth in the state. “The ultrasound tests have made it possible for pregnant women and their families to learn about the gender of the unborn child, early on in the pregnancy. Many get the female foetus terminated,” she said.

JALAUN - WORST SEX-RATIO DISTRICT

The lowest sex ratio at birth in UP (699 females per 1000 males) was recorded by Jalaun district. Others that followed were Baghpat (720:1000), Ambedkarnagar (763:1000), Sitapur (772:1000) and Fatehpur (799:1000). Shockingly, the state capital also scored low with a sex ratio of just 870 females per 1000 males.

KANNAUJ - BEST SEX-RATIO DISTRICT

In UP, the best sex ratio at the birth (1099 females per 1000 males) was recorded by Kannauj district. Others that did well were Bareilly (1071 girls per 1000 boys), Barabanki (1054:1000), Ghazipur (1052:1000), Gonda (1051:1000), Kanpur Dehat (1032:1000), Kaushambi (1020:1000), Azamgarh (1018:1000) and Farrukhabad (1002:1000).

NO PCPNDT CELL IN UP

Subhashani Ali said the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, was formed to stop female foeticide and improve the declining sex ratio in the country. “The Act banned prenatal sex determination. The PCPNDT cell was supposed to be formed at the state level for effective implementation of the Act, but so far, it has not been formed in UP. The proposal could not take final shape,” she said.