In 132 villages in Uttarkashi, a district in the state of Uttarakhand, no girl children were born in the last three months, according to a report in the Times of India.
As per official data, 216 children were born in 132 villages of the district in the last three months. However, not a single girl was among the newborns which has left the district administration baffled.
District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan said, “We have identified areas where the number of girl childbirth is zero or in single-digit numbers. We are monitoring these areas to find out what is affecting the ratio. A detailed survey and study will be conducted to identify the reason behind it.”
Dr. Chauhan held an emergency meeting with ASHA workers and asked them to increase vigilance in these areas and submit a report over the data.
Speaking to ANI, social worker Kalpana Thakur alleged that zero girl child birth clearly indicates the prevalence of female foeticide. “No girl child was born for three months in these villages. It cannot be just a coincidence. This clearly indicates female foeticide is taking place in the district. The government and the administration are not doing anything,” she said.
Senior journalist Shiv Singh Thanval urged the government to take strict measures to end the practice. “Shocking sex ratio data has come up in the district. It raises a question on the Centre’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme. The numbers clearly show that female foeticide is taking place. The administration needs to take strict actions to put an end to this,” he said.
