(a) the National average infant mortality rate, at present;
(b) the ratio of male in comparison to female child below 5 years at present in Tamil Nadu; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to reduce the female infanticide?
(a) the National average infant mortality rate, at present;
(b) the ratio of male in comparison to female child below 5 years at present in Tamil Nadu; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to reduce the female infanticide?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. RITA VERMA)
(a) As per the Sample Registration System the Infant Mortality Rate at the National level was estimated to be 72 per thousand live births, in 1998.
(b) As per the estimates of Technical Committee on Population Projection the population of children below 5 years in the State of Tamil Nadu is projected to be 4815 thousand as on 1st March, 2000 out of which 2473 thousand are male and 2343 thousand are females; ratio being 947 females against 1000 males.
(c) Infanticide is a cognizable offence and is dealt with under existing laws. To reverse the sex-ratio which is adverse to females, Government has enacted the Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 on 1st January 1996. This Act regulates and prevents the misuse of modern pre-natal diagnostic techniques for performing selective abortion of female foetuses. A campaign through mass media and other means to reduce female feticide and infanticide is also under implementation.