We are alarmed at the disclosure made by the Union Health and Family Welfare Secretary, K.D. Raju that the child sex ratio in the State fell from 964 girls per 1000 boys in 2001 Census to just 862 girls per 1000 boys in 2011 Census. There are some more States where child sex ratio has not been balanced but the case of J&K is rather astonishing. The Government has taken the issue of female foeticide very seriously and many diagnostic unites in the State have been ordered for closure because they failed to conform to the law of no gender discrimination implemented by the Government. The decreasing ratio of female child shows that female foeticide is on the rise in our State. Imbalance in the gender ratio is a serious matter. It can prove disastrous for the society and therefore it has to be checked at all costs. The Union Health Secretary has made an appeal to the Chief Minister for his personal intervention. It is evident that pre-natal sex diagnostics laws are not fully observed in the State. It is also evident form this statement that diagnostic centers still carry on clandestine pre-natal sex screening and no action is taken against them. Besides coming down with a heavy hand on such diagnostic centers, the concerned person should also be brought to book for indulging in unlawful activity. Medical practitioners who are found breaking the law of no pre-natal sex determination should be severely punished by dismissing them from service if in Government employment or bereft of their license if only a private practitioner. Unless some drastic measure is taken the ratio is likely to tilt further against male children.
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