Mangaluru: the difference in sex ratio in Dakshina Kannada district is increasing year to year. In comparison to the number of boys having taken birth in the district since the last 4 years, the number of girls has reduced by 3,108. DK is among the four other districts in the state which are showing a trend of fall in girl child births. The health department has come forward to find the cause behind this.
Survey by M and CTS
As per the 2011 census, there were 946 girls form 1,000 boys in the district. However, according to the Mother and Child Tracking System (M and CTS) being conducted in the district since 4 years, there is a major difference in the sex ratio. In the last 4 years, only 54,390 girls have taken birth against 57,498 boys in the district.
What is the reason behind the fall in sex ratio?
Female feticide, one child ideology, the lack of wish to have a second child after the first child turns out to be a boy, nuclear family style, fall in pregnancy, harassment of girl child, rape atrocities, financial situation, dowry and some other reasons are causing the fall in girl child numbers.
Rise in Udupi
As of 2017, there were 927 girl child against 1,000 boys and in 2018-19, it increased to 973. In comparison to last year, the sex ratio has increased. There are altogether 42 scanning centres in Udupi taluk, 19 in Kundapur and 11 in Karkala and none of the centres have a case of sex determination.
150 scanning centres
There are altogether 150 scanning centres in the district including 114 in Mangaluru, 9 in Bantwal, 11 in Belthangady, 15 in Puttur and 5 in Sullia, and sudden raids are being conducted on them. Prenatal sex determination is illegal at all scanning centres and the centres must place a board stating it does not conduct sex determination process, informs family welfare officer Dr Sikander Pasha.
A clear reason cannot be given concerning the drop in the sex ratio in DK. We are keeping a continuous watch on scanning centres – Dr Ramakrishna Rao, DK Health Officer
In comparison to last year, the number of girl child births in Udupi district has increased. The health department is working on further increasing the number – Dr Ashok, Udupi Health Officer
