Gujarat’s gender ratio improves
By IANSTuesday, June 15, 2010
GANDHINAGAR - Gujarat’s gender ratio has improved significantly, state Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas said Tuesday, citing the annual central registration survey conducted by the Registrar General.
Disclosing the latest available data, Vyas said that from 844 females per 1,000 males in 2002, it has gone up to 898:1,000 in 2008 indicating that the state government’s “Beti Bachao” (Save Daughters) campaign has yielded impressive results.
Though still awaited, he said, the ratio for 2009 is expected to go up to 905:1,000.
He said that the state government has undertaken a special programme in 2010-11 to prevent female foeticide, including setting up district-level cells, compulsory registration of ultrasound machines, stricter implementation of the relevant Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, and surprise checking of maternity homes and private clinics.
