Population of girl child in the state has been on a decline since the last decade, the 2011 census, data of which was released Tuesday, revealed. From 961 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001, the number has plunged to 943, a straight decline of 14 girls.
Perhaps indication of the census might have prompted the state government to come out with its new scheme ‘Bangaru Talli’ to arrest the declining child sex ratio (0-6 years) in state.
While Vizianagarm was the highest in child sex ratio with 980 girls during the 2001 census, the number fell down sharply to 955 in 2011. West Godavari district, which had child sex ratio of 970 remained the same and it is now the highest in 2011 census. The lowest was Warangal with 912 in 2011, as against 955 in 2001 census.
If the decadal growth rate of child population is taken into consideration, it has fallen from 13.35 per cent in 2001 to 10.21 per cent in 2011. While Krishna district, with 11.91 per cent was the lowest in 2001 (it is 8.98 percent in 2011), Karimnagar with 8.47 percent stood the lowest in 2011 (it was 13.34 percent in 2001). Mahbubnagar with 15.58 per cent was highest in 2001 and with 12.42 per cent it retained its position.
Literacy Rate
When it comes to literacy rate, the improvement is not much. The rate increased from 60.47 per cent in 2001 to 67.66 per cent in 2011. Hyderabad, with 80.96 per cent literacy rate in 2011 census, remained on top (It was 78.80 per cent in 2001).
Mahbubnagar, with 56.06 per cent (it was 44.41 per cent) is consistent in its last place, though there was good increase in the literacy growth when compared to other districts.
The census indicates that efforts of the government in the last decade had only ensured a 7.19 per cent growth in literacy rate, which is not much when the rate at which technology advancement is taking place in the world and in the country is taken into account.