Girl child population declining significantly
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 13 2012:
Even though Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act has been enforced in Manipur for the last eight years, population of girl child is declining significantly day by day.
According to sources from Directorate from Family Welfare, the present sex ratio is 934 girls for every 1000 boys as compared to 974 girls for every 1000 boys as in 1991 census.
The main reason behind the significant decline in the sex ratio is abortion of female foetus after pre-determination of sex, lack of proper parenting and care for girl child.
Many a girl child lost their lives due to poor health hygiene.
Moreover, even though the PCPNDT Act has been implemented in Manipur for the last eight years, lack of manpower and infrastructures have been the major hurdle in preventing sex identification of unborn child, the source said.
The source explained that PCPNDT Act was passed by the Parliament in 1994 after realising the need to prevent abortion of unborn girl child.
The Act has defined predetermination of sex and abortion of girl child as a crime.
The Act was implemented in the country in 1996 and Manipur government also adopted it in 2003 .
In accordance to the census report of 1991, the sex ratio of children under 6 years was 974 girls for every 1000 boys.
But by 2001, Manipur witnessed decline in sex ratio with 957 girls for every 1000 boys.
And the latest report of Census 2011 again shows further decline in sex ratio, the source disclosed.
As per the provision of PCPNDT Act, both sex identification of an unborn child and abortion of girl child is a serious criminal offence.
An offender is liable to get a jail term of 6 months to 7 years and a fine upto Rs 1 lakh.
Any person who instigates the parents to abort the unborn girl child or the parents and any persons who help, assist and carry out the abortion are also liable for legal punishment.
Every institution which has ultrasonography machines must have to register with the government.
However, there are many unregistered machines in the state, the source added.