(a) whether a number of educated and affluent families in the country are
resorting to sex selective abortions;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether skewed sex-ratio is likely to lead to an increase in crime against
women in the years to come; and
(d) if so, the steps taken proposed by the Government to legislate a stronger
law to deal with the problem in order to achieve healthy sex-ratio?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI SUDIP BANDYOPADHYAY)
(a) Sex selection leading to female foeticide has become widespread across
the country, covering both rural and urban areas. As per the 2011 Census
(provisional), the child sex ratio has declined from 927 in 2001 to 914 in 2011.
(b) State-wise details of urban and rural child sex ratio are annexed.
(c) A skewed sex-ratio may have negative consequences affecting the overall
status of women in society including increased insecurity and violence against
women.
(d) The Pre Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of
Sex Selection) Act, 1994 as amended further in 2003, is a comprehensive
legislation which provides for the prohibition of sex selection, before and
after conception, and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic techniques.
The recent initiatives undertaken by Government of India to strengthen
effective implementation of the Act include the following:
# Rule 11 (2) of the PC & PNDT Rules, 1996 has been amended to provide
for confiscation of unregistered machines and further punishment of organizations
which fail to register themselves under the Act.
# The National Inspection and monitoring Committee has been reconstituted
and apart from inspections, further empowered to oversee follow-up action by
Appropriate Authorities against organizations found guilty of violations under
the Act during inspections.
# Operational guidelines for PNDT-NGO Grant in Aid Scheme have been revised
to ensure targeted use of resources for effective implementation of the Act.