The child sex ratio in the district is coming down in the district, as per the latest census figures. Even as literacy rate is considerably high, the child sex ratio (in the age group of 0-6) has gone down from 999 in 2001 census to 988 in the 2011 census, said Collector and Chairperson of PCPNDT Committee Yamini Sarangi.
She was speaking at the district level convention on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, which aims at preventing female foeticide and arresting the declining sex ratio in the country. The convention was organised by the district cell at District Headquarters Hospital.
Convener of the cell and Chief District Medical Officer Dr Nanda Kishore Mishra said identifying the sex of the foetus and eliminating it if it is found to be female is creating imbalance in the sex ratio.
Gender imbalance is resulting in increased violence against women in the form of polyandry, rape, abduction, sale and purchase of brides.
He said compared to 2001 census, the sex ratio in the district has increased from 991 to 1019 while the average sex ratio in the State is 978 according to 2011 census. But the child sex ratio in the district has decreased from 999 in 2001 to 988 in 2011 census.
The State average of child sex ratio is 934. Every efforts should now be made to prohibit sex selection, said Dr Mishra.
SP Brajesh Rai said abortion is legal in the country. But misuse of technique in prenatal sex detection has created gender imbalance.
Dr Santosh Kumar Nag, Medical Superintendent, Christian Hospital said medical persons have a greater role to play in bringing the gender balance in the country.
“We adhere strictly to our medical ethics and not reveal the sex of the foetus. Medical persons should not misuse the ultrasound machine and avoid answering question on the sex of foetus,” Dr Nag said.
“We have to look into the issue seriously,” said the Collector. She stressed on the need for strict regulation and prohibition of misuse of pre-natal diagnostic technology.