Panipat improves sex ratio ranking, notches top slot

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, January 11

The district has improved its sex ratio at birth ranking, notching the top position in 2017. Figures available up to November 17 show that sex ratio at birth (SRB) was 945 girls against 1,000 boys last year.

Panipat was at the fifth spot in 2016 with sex ratio of 912. The district is notorious for skewed sex ratio. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme from Panipat on January 22, 2015.

Throughout 2017, Panipat maintained sex ratio at birth almost above 900. It was 961 in January, 1,073 in February, 993 in March, 925 in April, 926 in May, 906 in June, 967 in July, 913 in August, 982 in September, 926 in October and 891 in November and 949 in December, the sources said.

Sources in the Health Department said sex ratio at birth in the district was 822 in 2011, 834 in 2012, 851 in 2013, 892 in 2014, 892 in 2015 and 912 in 2016.

Throughout last year, Panipat maintained sex ratio at birth almost above 900. It was 961 in January, 1,073 in February, 993 in March, 925 in April, 926 in May, 906 in June, 967 in July, 913 in August, 982 in September, 926 in October and 891 in November and 949 in December, the sources said.

As per the data available up to November 17, Yamunanagar is at the second spot with 938 girls per 1,000 boys followed by Sonepat (936).

Dr Sudhir Batra, Deputy Civil Surgeon, said: “In the past two years, the Health Department had conducted 19 raids under the PC-PNDT Act and 36 raids under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act,” Dr Batra said.

Deputy Commissioner Chander Shekhar Khare said, “A target of 950 girls per 1,000 boys has been set under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme. With the efforts of the department, the district is close to achieving the target.”

The department made efforts to educate residents and kept a check on violators of the PC-PNDT Act, the DC added.