Although Karnataka’s preference for male children is getting worse and sex determination is rampant even in urban areas, the State government is yet to form the new State and District PC and PNDT Advisory Committees, which play a crucial role in preventing sex determination and female foeticide. The term of these committees ended way back in 2011.
The recently released National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data has pointed out that the child sex ratio has declined to 910 from 922 in NFHS-3 (2005-06). What is even more shocking is the divide between urban and rural areas, with rural areas clearly less biased against girl children. While the child sex ratio stands at 875 in urban areas, it is 935 in urban areas.
The formation of the committees is crucial for implementing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994.
Sources said although the list of members for the district committees had been finalised almost a year ago, the Health and Family Welfare Department has been dilly-dallying. “The list has to be approved by the district in-charge minister, and then the CM. Nothing has happened so far,” a source said.
The delay has not gone down well with members of women’s organisations. “We will soon meet Health Minister U.T. Khader to find out why the government is not interested in forming the committees,” said Vimala from Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana.
