–Officials fear sex-selective abortions to be the cause behind it
NEW DEHLI: At a time when the Central government has been aggressively promoting its ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, sex ratio at birth data from 132 villages in Uttarkashi district reveals that no girl child was born in these areas in the last three months.
According to official data, 216 children were born in 132 villages of the district in the last three months. However, not a single girl was among the newborns which have left the district administration baffled.
District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan said, “We have identified areas where the number of girl childbirth is zero or in single-digit numbers. We are monitoring these areas to find out what is affecting the ratio. A detailed survey and study will be conducted to identify the reason behind it.”
He also held an emergency meeting with ASHA workers and asked them to increase vigilance in these areas and submit a report over the data. Gangotri MLA Gopal Rawat was also present at the meeting.
Speaking to ANI, social worker Kalpana Thakur alleged that zero girl childbirth clearly indicated the prevalence of female foeticide. “No girl child was born for three months in these villages. It cannot be just a coincidence. This clearly indicates female foeticide is taking place in the district. The government and the administration are not doing anything.”
Senior journalist Shiv Singh Thanval urged the government to take strict measures to end the practice. “Shocking sex ratio data has come up in the district. It raises a question on the Centre’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme. The numbers clearly show that female foeticide is taking place. The administration needs to take strict actions to put an end to this,” he said.
