CHANDIGARH: For the first time in 10 years, Haryana’s child sex ratio (0-6 age group) has improved, crossing the 900-mark in December 2015. This is a major jump since 2011 when census figures revealed the state had the worst sex ratio in the country with just 879 females per 1,000 males. Haryana chief minister credited the success to the state’s multi-pronged strategy under ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign.

“The sex ratio in Haryana has shown an upward trend as for the first time in 10 years, in December 2015, it has crossed the 900 mark with 903 girls per 1,000 boys,” Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told media in Chandigarh.

Out of the 100 worst districts in India for sex ratio, Haryana accounts for 12 districts.

Officials said 12 districts have recorded gender ratio above the 900 mark in December 2015. Sirsa topped the table with 999 girls per 1,000 boys in the state infamous for female foeticide. Panchkula has registered a sex ratio of 961 followed by Karnal (959), Fatehabad (952), Gurgaon (946), Sonipat (942), Jind (940), Rewari (931), Mewat (923), Bhiwani, Mahendragarh (912) and Hisar (906).

Khattar lauded Health Minister Anil Vij, Women and Child Development Minister Kavita Jain, and all officials of health, women and child development, police, prosecution, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public relations department for their concerted efforts during the last seven months to achieve improvement in sex ratio.

“In Sirsa district, sex ratio at birth increased from 948 in October 2015, to 978 in November, and to 999 in December. A big nexus of quacks, health workers, touts and registered medical practitioners, were busted by Sirsa police with the help of the health department and about 40 people were arrested and convicted in the district,” said CM Khattar.

“A target to achieve sex ratio above 950 within the next six months has now been set for the entire state,” he said, while referring to Jhajjar that recorded the lowest sex ratio — 794.

Health Minister Anil Vij said that in order to end female foeticide, the state government had earlier announced a scheme to offer Rs.1 lakh as reward for reporting violations of the PCPNDT and MTP Acts. “As many as 17 such informers have so far been rewarded,” he said.

The chief minister credited the improvement of the sex ratio to the state’s multi-pronged strategy implemented under the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the state’s Panipat town on January 22 last year to promote the cause of the girl child.