THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a)to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 27 FOR 23RD NOVEMBER, 2012.
(a) As per the 2011 Census (provisional) the overall sex ratio has increased from 933 in 2001 to 940 in 2011. However,
the child sex ratio (0-6 years) has shown a decline from 927 in 2001 to 914 in 2011.
(b) Census operations in the country are undertaken every ten years and not annually. Sex ratio State/ UT wise as per
2001 and 2011 Censuses respectively in both rural and urban areas is at Annex A. Child sex ratio (0-6 years), State/ UT
wise as per Census 2001 & 2011 is at Annex B.
(c) to (e) - Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to check female foeticide, which includes awareness
generation among youths and legislative measures as well as programmes for socio-economic empowerment of women. Some
of the measures are:
# For prohibition of sex selection, before and after conception, and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic
techniques, the Government has enacted a comprehensive legislation, the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic
Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection)Act in 1994. It was further amended in 2003.
# The Government has intensified effective implementation of the said Act and amended various rules covering
provision for sealing and seizure and confiscation of unregistered machines and punishment against unregistered clinics.
Regulation of use of portable ultrasound equipment has been notified only within the registered premises has been notified.
Restriction on medical practitioners to conduct ultrasonography at maximum of two ultrasound facilities within a district
has been placed. Registration fees have been enhanced. Rules have been amended to provide for advance intimation in change
in employees, place, address or equipment.
# Minister of Health and Family Welfare has requested all the State Governments to strengthen implementation of the
Act and timely steps to stop use of illegal sex determination. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has urged the Chief Ministers
of all States to provide personal leadership to reverse the declining trend in child sex ratio and address the neglect of
the girl child through focus on education and empowerment.
# Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has intensified efforts to exhort the States and UTs to pay utmost attention to
serious implementation of the Act.
# The Central Supervisory Board (CSB) under the PNDT Act has been reconstituted and regular meetings are being held.
# The National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) has been reconstituted and inspections of ultrasound
diagnostic facilities have been intensified. Inspections have been carried out in many states including Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
# Capacity building has been given attention. Programs have been organized for State Appropriate Authorities and PNDT
Nodal Officers and also for judicial officers and public prosecutors.
# The Government is rendering financial support to the States and UTs for Information, Education and Communication
campaigns and for strengthening structures for the implementation of the Act under the National Rural Health Mission.
# States have been advised to focus on Districts/Blocks/Villages with low Child Sex Ratio to ascertain the
causes,plan appropriate Behaviour Change Communication campaigns and effectively implement provisions of the PC & PNDT Act.
# Religious leaders, women achievers etc. are being involved in the campaign against skewed child sex ratio and
discrimination of the girl child.
