SRINAGAR: Union Health and Family Welfare ministry on Wednesday expressed concern over dropping child sex ration in Jammu and Kashmir and asked the state government to take necessary steps to reverse the trend.
The Child sex ratio in Jammu and Kashmir fell from 964 girls per 1000 boys in 2001 Census to just 862 girls per 1000 boys in 2011 Census.
“This a matter of great concern,” Union Health Secretary K D Raju said while addressing the national summit on ‘Best Practices and Innovations in Public Healthcare System’ here, according to the Press Trust of India.
“I do not worry so much about the fact that Punjab and Haryana have dismal figures but I do worry about the fact that Jammu and Kashmir has such figures,” he said.
The Union minister, PTI reports, has sought personal intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in dealing with the problem.
Omar has been voicing his concern over the alarming trend at many public functions.
Recently, while addressing hundreds of women during the launch of UMEED scheme for women empowerment, he said: Female foeticide is one of the two main diseases that has afflicted Kashmir.”
“If you kill yourself like this, finish yourself, then the world cannot go on.”
“I do believe it (child sex ratio) can be reversed. It is at the heart of the healthcare,” he added.
Today at the function he said that the state government is contesting the figures of the Census 2011.
“Whatever comes out and till the figures change, I will accept it as gospel truth that we have a problem and we have to do something about it,” he added.
Omar said religious leaders like Imams, Granthis, Pujaris and Priests can play an important role in curbing the practice of female foeticide.
“Government alone cannot do it. If these religious leaders devote some part of their sermons to creating awareness about this issue, it will go a long way in augmenting our efforts,” he added.
