Khattar optimistic about improved sex ratio at birth

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday expressed optimism that the state would continue with its progressive trend with regard to sex ratio at birth (SRB). Taking part in the meeting of Niti Aayog’s Governing Council, Khattar said, “We are proud that the ratio had reached 900 in 2016 and 914 in 2017.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani at the fourth meeting of the Governing Council of Niti Aayog in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 17

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday expressed optimism that the state would continue with its progressive trend with regard to sex ratio at birth (SRB).

Taking part in the meeting of Niti Aayog’s Governing Council, Khattar said, “We are proud that the ratio had reached 900 in 2016 and 914 in 2017. I am confident that by the end of this year, it will cross 925.” He said this year’s figure from January to May had improved to 922.

Khattar’s enunciation assumed significance as Haryana was among the states known for its dismal male:female ratio. As per official figures, the SRB, as of January 2015, had plummeted to 871.

Consequent to the social malady, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme from Panipat on January 22, 2015, to draw the nation’s attention and for salutary intervention.

Ten districts with SRB figure of less than 900 were included in the programme. Mahendragarh in south Haryana, core of the Ahirwal belt, had the lowest figure of 745.

Khattar said the SRB figure in Mahendragarh was still under 900. Mahendragarh’s figure since the launch of the programme had improved to 881, an increase of 136 points, which was still a far cry.

Dwelling on the state’s other progressive measures, he said the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jyoti Bima Yojana had been implemented in toto in all 235 villages identified in 20 districts during the Gram Swaraj Campaign in April-May.

With regard to the NDA government policy of doubling farmers’ income by 2022, the state had taken measures, including instituting the Kisan Kalyan Pradhikaran and implementation of the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana with regard four vegetable crops, he said.

The state had constituted the State Health Authority for implementation of Ayushman Bharat, a national health protection mission, he said.

Dwelling on the government’s welfare measures in Nuh district, Khattar said it was among the country’s 101 aspirational districts identified by the Centre. Mewat had always been a victim of political neglect, he claimed. “The BJP government did not allow it to be discriminated against,” he added.

He suggested that the policy of laying down five conditions, including basic educational qualification, to members contesting panchayati raj elections be implemented in all states.