Punjab govt's steps helped to improve sex ratio in state

Punjab has been able to improve its sex ratio ahead of neighbouring Haryana due to a series of gender sensitive policies launched by the SAD-BJP government during the last four years, an official spokesman said today.

The provisional figures of 2011 Census reflect the steep decline in the sex ratio across the country, but Punjab has been able to register 48 point increase in the 0-6 age group where as Haryana saw an increase of only 16 points, he said.

Presently, the state has 846 female per 1000 male in the 0-6 year age group, up from 798 in the last census.

Initiatives of the Punjab government and consistent awareness campaigns like Nanhi Chhaan Programme launched by the NGOs was instrumental in inspiring people and changing their mindset.

Strict enforcement of Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, creating a mass movement against female foeticide gave a new thrust to the save girl child programme especially in the remote rural areas, the spokesman said.

Some districts like Bathinda paid price for rapid industrial development as it registered low sex ratio due to influx of male migrant labours for the construction of Rs 20,000 crore Bathinda refinery project, he added.