Berhampur (SunstarTV Bureau): In an aim to prevent female foeticide and improve child sex ratio in Ganjam, the district administration has announced a cash premium of Rs 10,000 to the one providing information about sex determination practice.
“We will reward the informer following proper verification. The reward money will be provided from the funds of the district child protection office,” said Ganjam district collector Vijay Amruta Kulange. The name of the person providing information would remain concealed, assured the administration.
Although the child sex ratio of the district has witnessed a significant hike, it is still lower than the state average. In 2014, the child sex ratio at birth was 790 females to 1000 males, which increased to 869 per 1000 in 2017. But this is still lower than the state average of 921.
Experts believed the prominent gap in the number of male and female in the district is an offshoot to female foeticide. According to vivid research the locals in the area still prefer to have a male child than female.
Kulange has also instructed Asha workers to track women from pregnancy to delivery across the district. He has asked concerned officials to make surprise visits to the ultrasound clinics frequently and keep their record straight.
According to sources, out of 53 registered ultrasound centres, only 32 are functional in the district. These include five in government-run hospitals and 27 in private hospitals.
