Disproportionate sex ratio of kids alarming
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 02 2012:
Participants of the workshop on Pre-conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Acts held today at State Guest House, Sanjenthong perceived that the disproportionate sex ratio of children below six years in the State is alarming.
The workshop was organised by the PNDT Division of the State Health and Family Welfare Department.
According to the participants of the workshop, the wide difference in the sex ratio of children below 6 years in the State is attributed to rampant practice of female foeticide.
Speaking as the resource person, State Nodal Officer of PC & PNDT, Dr Th Arunkumar pointed out that the State witnessed a decadal decline in sex ratio of children below six years during the last two decades.
He noted that the sex ration of the children in the age group of 0-6 years was 974 girls out of every 1000 boys in the census report of 1991.In the 2001 census record, the ratio was 967 girls out of every 1000 boys.
According to the latest census, 2011 the ratio was recorded as 934 girls out of every 1000 boys.
Dr Arunkumar however noted that the State is fairly better in comparison to other states of the country.
He pointed out that it is pertinent to dig deeper into the cause of such disproportionate sex ratio.
He speculated the main reason for the disproportionate in the sex ratio could be selective foeticide on girl child inside the wombs.
Stating that selective foeticide on girl child is a major crime, Dr Arunkumar said the PC & PNDT Act was passed by the Parliament in 1994 to prevent foeticide which came into force in 1995 across the country.
However, the Act was implemented in Manipur in 2003 .
Dr Arunkumar said though the Act was in force, it could not be implemented effectively due to shortage of manpower and infrastructure.
According to the Act, identification of the sex of a child through ultrasonography or other method is prohibited.
Any violator of the provision of the Act is punishable.
The punishment included imprisonment for six months up to seven years and a fine up to Rs 1 lakh according to the degree of the crime, pointed out member of Manipur State Appropriate Authority, PC & PNDT, N Bina Devi.
The Act also provisions punishment for unauthorised ultrasonography practitioners.
Director of Family Welfare Services, Dr L Surchandra said female foeticide could be checked if the PNDT Act is implemented effectively.
Senior gynaecologist Dr Tomba said that awareness among the people on equality of both sex should be spread through various medium.
Other speaker at the occasion included Senior gynaecologist Dr Sukumar.