Lok Sabha Question No. 83 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: Decline in Sex Ratio
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Deepender Singh Hooda

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 83 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 5 TH DECEMBER, 2025

## DECLINE IN SEX RATIO

## *83. SHRI DEEPENDER SINGH HOODA:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has prepared a time-bound roadmap to address the recent decline in sex ratio in eleven districts of Haryana, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of measures being implemented to ensure stricter enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagonistic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act to curb illegal sex determination practices in the said districts;
- (c) whether any audit/evaluation has been conducted to assess the effectiveness of schemes such as 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' in Haryana during the last five years, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the details of the targets set by the Government for improving the sex ratio in these districts within the next five years?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 83 FOR 5 TH DECEMBER, 2025

(a) (b) & (d) As per the Sample Registration System Report, Haryana has recorded an overall improvement of 52 points in the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB), increasing from 832 in 2014-16 to 884 in 2021-23.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare implements the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 across the country through the following steps:

-  Under the National Health Mission (NHM), the Ministry provides financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen implementation of the PC&PNDT Act.
-  Nodal Agency constituted to monitor & facilitate the removal of online advertisements violating the provisions of the Act.
-  Sensitization and capacity building activities of States & UTs are held regularly.
-  Information, Education & Communication and advocacy activities undertaken to promote behavioural change and gender equality.
-  National Girl Child Day, International Day of the Girl Child, and International Women's Day observed every year across the country to create public awareness.
-  Regular review & assessment through various institutional mechanisms like: Central Supervisory Board (CSB), State Supervisory Board (SSB), Common Review Mission (CRM) visits, National Inspection & Monitoring Committee visits carried out by the Centre in coordination with States.

As informed by the State of Haryana, 17 districts have shown improvement in the Sex Ratio at Birth, based on comparative data for the years 2024 & 2025. As reported, the state has implemented measures across districts to ensure strict enforcement of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 and curb sex determination practices. The measures undertaken are given below:

-  State Task Force comprising of Mission Director National Health Mission, Director General Health Services, Director General AYUSH, Director Women

& Child Development Department, State Drug Controller, Director Maternal & Child Health, Director PNDT, Senior Officers from Police & Prosecution Department, Civil Surgeon Panchkula & representatives of PNDT, Medical Termination of Pregnancy, Assisted Reproductive Technology & Surrogacy Cells has been constituted. The review meetings are held every Tuesday under the Chairpersonship of Additional Chief Secretary (Health).

-  District Level Standing Committee for improvement in sex ratio has been constituted on 06.06.2025. Meeting of this committee is held once every month under the Chairpersonship of the Deputy Commissioner.
-  A dedicated Police Cell headed by an officer of the rank of Assistant/Deputy Superintendent of Police has been established in each district for effective implementation of the PC&PNDT Act.
-  Directions issued to grant permission for functions with speakers to motivate audience against gender biased sex selection.
-  For the effective implementation of the PC&PNDT Act, Rs. 1.00 Lakh incentive is provided to informers on credible information of sex determination cases.
-  Under the Best Village Award Scheme, an award of ₹1.50 lakh is given to one village in each district that records the highest sex ratio during the year. Also, all Mahila Sarpanchs have been designated as Brand Ambassadors for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme.
-  IEC activities enhanced in collaboration with the Women and Child Development Department. These include Godh Bharai events, Kuan Pujan ceremonies to celebrate the birth of girl children, the 'Selfie with Daughter' campaign, Munadi awareness drives, mobile Information Education & Communication vans, the Proud Daughters campaign, the ' Beti Ka Haq, Jeene Ka Haq' digital campaign, engagement of local influencers, the Mahri Laddo radio programme, and Information Education & Communication or Behaviour Change Communication campaigns in urban parks during early morning hours.
-  As per inputs from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Haryana has strengthened Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme across districts to address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and empower women & girls over a life-cycle continuum.

(c) Evaluation of the schemes of the Ministry of Women and Child Development was conducted during the Financial Year 2019-2024 by NITI Aayog in Haryana. The study inter-alia found that Mission Sambal (One Stop Centre, Women Helpline, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao & Nari Adalat) is highly relevant as it effectively addresses key gender challenges in India through integrated services aligned with national and international goals. It prioritizes vulnerable groups and underserved regions with BBBPas a behaviour change campaign.

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