Jajpur: The male-female sex ratio has drastically fallen in Jajpur district and is logged at 953 females against 1,000 males.
However, the administration is allegedly apathetic towards paying heed to such trend.
Experts and social activists have voiced concern over the gap in sex ratio that threatens balance in social structure and may create more gender disparity in future.
The fact came to the fore when a report was presented at a workshop on ‘pre-natal sex determination and female feticide’, organised by the child protection unit at Jajpur district headquarters hospital (DHH) May 23, 2018.
Given the trend, it is estimated that the female count in Jajpur district may come down to 937 per 1,000, in the age group 0 to 6 years, by 2021 census. Moreover, it could be 930 in urban areas in the same period.
Falling female sex ratio is blamed on unchecked sex determination tests and consequent termination of female fetus at different private diagnostic centres.
Worthy to note, as per 2001 census the sex ratio in the aforesaid age group was 937 female children as against 1,000 male children in the district. According to the 2011 census report, the count of female declined to 926 with respect to 1,000 males.
Ultrasonography and sex determination centres are operating with impunity, but stern action against such illegal clinics is not being taken, it was alleged.
According to sources, the Jajpur DHH has given permission to nine different private ultrasonography centres at Jajpur town, Jajpur Road, Kaliapani, Sukinda and Jaraka areas, for five years.
Official norms mandate that every centre should have at least one sonographer or radiologist, but unskilled staffers are running the show at some places, reports said.
Moreover, an ultrasonography centre at Jajpur Road was accused of resorting to illegal sex determination act.
To monitor the activities of illegal ultrasonography centres, a district advisory committee (DAC) has been formed. Though cosmetic actions and irregular raids are being taken by DAC, such centres continue to carry out their illegal activities.
Asked about the issue, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Arun Kumar Patra said, “We are planning to create awareness among people on female child birth rate through audio-visual media. We are also vigilant on the activities of ultrasonography centres.”
PNN