DHENKANAL: Despite implementation of several schemes including Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana (BKRY) in the State, the child sex ratio has declined to 877 girls for 1000 boys in the district.
Informing this during a meeting of the District Task Force and Consultative Committee on Implementation of PCPNDT Act on Tuesday, Chief District Medical Officer Dr Bidyutlata Mishra blamed the female foeticide and misuse of ultrasound machine for the alarming situation.
Reports said out of 15 registered ultrasound machines, eight are functional in the district. While three ultrasound sets are being operated by the Government hospitals, five are run by private hospital. Though sex determination is on rise, the district administration under chairmanship of the Collector has not convened a meeting over the matter in the last four years.
Similarly, the Health department has failed to implement the PCPNDT Act in letter and spirit. Some of the reasons for neglect of girl child and low child sex ratio are son preference and blind belief. Exorbitant dowry demand is another reason for female foeticide.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the matter, Collector Bhupendra Singh Poonia on Wednesday held a review meeting after four years and asked the health officials to take appropriate measures to check the practice. The project proposal for launching an awareness programme in the district is yet to be approved by the Health department.
The Collector asked the officials to instal two ultrasound machines in Hindol sub-divisional hospital and Odapada CHC as pregnant women of remote areas visit the DHH for test. Besides, survey and awareness programmes will be initiated in the villages where girl child ratio is low.
CDMO Dr Mishra admitted that female foeticide is on the rise in the district and said it needs joint efforts of administration and health department to create awareness among people. Small family norm coupled with easy availability of sex determination tests may be a catalyst in the declining child sex ratio, further facilitated by easy availability of pre-conception sex selection facilities, she added.