Sex ratio down from 902 to 864 in a year, Pathankot worst in Punjab

The latest sex ratio figures available through the civil registration system in Punjab have pointed to an alarming trend in the border belts of Pathankot and Gurdaspur.

From 902 in 2023, the sex ratio in Pathankot declined by 38 points to 864 in 2024. In simple terms, 864 girls were born in the district against 1,000 boys last year.

Gurdaspur stood close at 888, although three notches better than in 2023. The overall sex ratio in Punjab was 918 in 2024, an improvement of just two points. At 987, Kapurthala topped the state once again even as the ratio declined by 5 points from 992 in 2023. The Muslim-dominated district of Malerkotla fared well in maintaining the second position with a gender ratio of 961 and improving significantly by 39 points.

Experts in the border belts agree that the sex ratio in the 0-1 age group is dismally low. Civil Surgeon Bharat Bhushan attributes it to female foeticide. “When the PNDT Act came into existence, we were of the opinion that the sex ratio would improve significantly. However, the situation didn’t change much because of extremely low literacy rates in the border areas. Gurdaspur and Pathankot share land borders with J&K and Himachal Pradesh. There have been instances when women were taken to these states for foeticide. Recently, our teams raided Kathua and nabbed some people. Families living below the poverty line do not want girls and often visit quacks for the termination of pregnancy.”

Eminent sociologist Prof Rajesh Gill, however, differs on such a reasoning for the skewed sex ratio in the border belts and calls for an immediate intervention of the authorities. “There are pockets inhabited by poor and backward people in every district. The administration in districts with a sex ratio of less than 900 need to immediately start a tracking system for every pregnant woman. They just can’t sit over reports.”

Navneet Bal, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, said, “It is overwhelming to know that we topped the state in terms of gender ratio for the second time in a row. Every small activity we engage in help create awareness.” The district administration is now coming up with a documentary on “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” which is likely to be released on January 24, the National Girl Child Day.

Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal said, “The sex ratio in the district stands at 923. Notably, it was 1,001 in December last year. In fact, in five of the 13 blocks in the district, the ratio was over 1,000 last month, which is very encouraging.”

(With inputs by Ravi Dhaliwal in Pathankot)