Bhubaneswar, Dec 5: The sex ratio of girls to boys, has been depleted by 23 percent in the last four years, said Director of Family Welfare Department, Dr Bijay Kumar Panigrahi on Tuesday.
Addressing a seminar relating to the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PNDT) Act, Dr Panigrahi said the number of girls as per the birth registration records, has been a matter of concern. Odisha has ascended to the sixth position among the states with declining girl-child birth, in the country. The average ratio of girls in the state, to boys is 925.
Revealing the district-wise breakups Dr Panigrahi said that the number of girls in the coastal Odisha is of more concern. However, Kendrapara district has been a paradise for the girl. As per the report, the district has achieved the 998 mark which is all time high in the girl-child birth rate. On the other hand, the sex ratio at birth(SRB) of the girls in the Nayagarh district is the lowest (811). Similarly, Dhenkanal, Sonepur, Angul and Jagatsinghpur districts have sex ratios of .865, .880, .885, and .897 respectively.
The Director of Family Welfare expressed concern about the decline in the number of girls. However, he said that persistent mass awareness programs are being held for gender equality. At the same time, periodic raids and enforcement on healthcare providers and privately managed diagnostic centers are intensified to ensure the implementation of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PNDT)Act.
