Signals from Census 2011, declining sex ratio matter of concern
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: September 07 2011 -

As with other previous census reports, the provisional census report 2011 provides valuable inputs for our policy makers, gives a clear indication of the success or failure of various programmes undertaken.

This in turn provides clear signals of the areas where intervention with appropriate and effective policy and programmes are needed.

Going by the Provisional Census Report 2011, the deceleration of India's population growth rate to 17.64 percent in the decade 2001-2011, which happens to be the slowest population growth rate this past century, is something to cheer about.

This clearly points to the effectiveness of the family welfare programme taken up by the government of India for controlling population growth through its various agencies.

But there is no room for complacency even with this laudable achievement, for in absolute terms India's population is now estimated to be 1.21 billion as per the Provisional Census 2011.

Coming specifically to Manipur, the state recorded a slightly higher population growth rate of 18.65 percent, its total population now stands at 27,21,755.

Within the state, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel districts recorded significantly higher growth rate of 30.07 percent, 25.69 percent, 25.16 percent and 21.72 percent.

There has also been marked increase in the national literacy rate which stands at 74.04 percent, a 9.2 percent rise from the previous decade.

What is laudable is the 11.8 percent rise in the female literacy rate to reach 65.46 per cent.

But of course there is still a lot of room for improvement. With the effective implementation of the various flagship programmes like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, SSA and the Rashtriya, Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, as also with the Right to Education coming into force, the goal of universal education in the country may yet be achieved.

Universal education seem even more plausible in the case of Manipur which has now reached 79.85 from 69.93 in 2001.

But to achieve this the state government need to strengthen its education delivery system both in terms of quantity and quality specially in the hills and remote areas.

It goes without saying that however good a programme or a scheme is, it is the sincerity with which it is implemented which will produce the best possible result.

SSA and RMSA are also being implemented in the state, but the moot question is how sincerely? Controversies in the distribution of books and uniforms as also in the implementation of the mid day meal scheme were widely reported in the media.

These need to be look into seriously if the state is to provide education to every child in Manipur which is now their right. A matter of concern which the present census throws up is the child sex ratio which has come down to 914 females against 1,000 males - the lowest since Independence.

In Manipur also the child sex ratio witnessed a significant drop from 957 girls for every 1000 boys to 934 girls for every 1000 boys. Causes for such a drop need to be look into.

What are the reasons for such a phenomenon? Is sex determination tests and female foeticide being practiced in the state?

Are the various programmes meant to take care of health and nutritional needs of mother and child being implemented properly?

The government should take a call on these questions and put corrective measures in place before the situation further deteriorates.

On the other hand, our society also needs to introspect on its attitude towards female child and shed its bias and prejudices.

Here, it might also be worth our while to study how states like Kerala and Puducherry is able to record extremely healthy sex ratio of 1084 and 1038 respectively.