Haryana Acts on Falling Sex Ratio..

Haryana : The Haryana government has taken strict action in response to the alarming decline in the state’s sex ratio, issuing show-cause notices to 12 Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) and transferring five nodal officers. The move follows increasing concern over female foeticide and the failure of local health officials to implement effective monitoring and awareness measures under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign.

The action comes after a detailed review conducted by the state’s Health Department revealed irregularities and negligence in several districts where the sex ratio has dropped below critical levels. Authorities believe that poor surveillance, lack of timely action, and possible collusion in illegal sex-determination activities have contributed to the worrying trend. As part of the ongoing investigation, the government has also ordered legal action against a middleman allegedly involved in facilitating sex-selective abortions.

The notices served to SMOs seek detailed explanations for the declining figures in their respective areas, asking them to clarify their roles and the steps taken to prevent gender-based discrimination in prenatal practices. The five nodal officers who have been transferred are believed to have failed in maintaining proper data and oversight mechanisms, leading to a lapse in enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.

Haryana, which has historically struggled with gender imbalance, had shown improvement in recent years. However, the latest reports indicate a worrying reversal, with some districts recording dangerously low female-to-male child ratios. This has triggered a renewed focus on accountability at the administrative and medical levels.

Social activists and women’s rights organizations have welcomed the government’s action but emphasized that these steps must be accompanied by sustained awareness campaigns, community engagement, and stronger legal enforcement to eliminate illegal practices and deep-rooted gender bias. They also urged stricter monitoring of ultrasound clinics and stricter punishment for those violating the law.

The Health Minister stated that the government will not tolerate any form of negligence when it comes to protecting the rights of the girl child. More departmental audits and field inspections are expected in the coming weeks to ensure compliance across all districts.

This action marks a significant step in Haryana’s continued fight against gender-based discrimination and the promotion of equal rights for girls at birth.