Jammu, Mar 20: Six Valley districts have recorded a sharp decline in sex ratio in the last ten years setting alarming trend. These districts include Pulwama, Budgam, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Shopian and Kulgam.
 As per the 2011 Census, Pulwama has 836 females for every 1000 males against 1046 females and 1000 recorded during  2001 census, Budgam  832: 1000 ratio  as per Census 2011 against  1004:1000 in 2001, Kupwara 854: 1000 in 2011 against 1021: 1000 in 2001, Ganderbal 863:1000 in 2011 against 1014 : 1000 in 2001, while  against  a ratio of 1011: 1000 recorded during 2001 census,  the gender ratio has plunged to 883/1000 in Shopian  during the last one decade.
 Similarly the sex ratio has come down to 882: 1000 in Kulgam against 1003:1000 recorded in the previous census.
 These alarming figures came to light in reply to a question by Ravinder Kumar Sharma in Legislative Council here today.
 The member, in his question, had sought sex ratio of each district during last ten years and causes, lapses and measures taken and proposed by the government to arrest the trend.
 Even as sex ratio has recorded decline across the length and breadth of the state, Leh and Kargil districts are comparatively better placed. Leh had a ratio of 944: 1000 in 2011 against 955:1000 in 2001 while Kargil had 978: 1000 against 980:1000 in 2011.
 Taking serious note of the alarming trend, the LC members expressed concern and underlined the need to contain the dangerous drift.
 The Government in its reply held social stigma about girl child, paternal lineage, poverty and illiteracy as main cause for decline in sex ratio.
 About the effective measures taken by government to curb the abuse of female feticide, Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma said, “As I found social stigmas to be the cause of this abuse, government tried to involve religious and political leaders for spreading awareness against female feticide and also involve local sarpanchs and panchs as they deal public at grass root level.”
 He also apprised the House that soon the data of ultrasounds being done during pregnancy at various hospitals and registered clinics will be centralised and recorded in a main computer automatically along with registration though PAN number.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST