Representative image

CHANDIGARH: Haryana ’s sex ratio has improved from an abmysal 832 girls for every 1 ,000 boys in 2012 to 924 by December 31, 2018, according to figures released by the state goverment on Wednesday. In 2017, the figure was 917.

Karnal has topped the state, recording a ratio of 979. Its sex ratio in 2012 was 797. In the 2011 Census, Jhajjar, Rewari and Kurukshetra had invited national shame for the state, with the three districts recording the lowest sex ratio in the country, at 781, 780 and 743, respectively. This forced the state government to launch several programmes for improving its sex ratio.

By the end of 2018, Rewari, Jhajjar and Kurukshetra’s ratio improved to 904, 911, and 942, respectively. Though it was the worst performer in 2011, Kurukshetra has been the best performer among the three districts, improving by 99 points.

The Haryana government claimed that effective improvement in sex ratio started after the launch of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana , which was launched by PM Narendera Modi. “Team work has brought good results. Effective roles played by deputy commissioners and SPs, and coordination between various departments in implementation of various schemes, has worked out really well,’’ said the additional principal secretary to Haryana CM, Rakesh Gupta.

Gupta said the state had ensured “strict adherence” to the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act. He added that nearly 650 raids were conducted on various diagnostic centres in and outside the state.

Haryana is known for poor sex ratio and armies of its unmarried men, who find it difficult to find brides. Such has been the problem, that men are known to ‘buy’ brides from other states.

