Gender gap shrinks as Panchkula sees 37-point jump in sex ratio at birth

The district’s birth sex ratio recorded a significant jump, going up to 951 girls per 1,000 boys between January and September 2025 from 914 in the corresponding period in 2024, Civil Surgeon Dr Mukta Kumar revealed.

The Civil Surgeon attributed the 37-point improvement to effective enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, enhanced community awareness and coordinated efforts of the district administration. She was addressing a press conference held at her office, where she also provided detailed information on inspections and actions taken under the PC-PNDT Act.

As of September 2025, the district has 57 registered ultrasound centres and 33 registered Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) centres.

During the year, 137 PNDT centres and 46 MTP centres were inspected.

Authorities issued 11 show-cause notices — seven under the PC-PNDT Act and four under the MTP Act. Additionally, 20 MTP centre licences were cancelled for non-compliance.

The Civil Surgeon further emphasised that regular surprise inspections and field audits are being conducted to ensure compliance, transparency and accountability.

To encourage reporting of violations, incentives are offered: informants under the PC-PNDT Act receive Rs 1,00,000, while decoy patients are given Rs 25,000. Similarly, under the MTP Act, the rewards are Rs 10,000 for informants and Rs 25,000 for decoy clients. The identity of whistle-blowers is strictly protected.

Kumar reiterated that the district administration remains firmly committed to strict enforcement of the PC-PNDT Act, promoting institutional deliveries, and safeguarding the rights of the girl child.