Mumbai, March 24: In 2011, the sex ratio in the state is set to dip to 915 women per 1000 men. Alarming, but a possibility. The state, which pioneered women’s empowerment in the 19th and the 20th centuries, has clearly lost its way in keeping the gender balance undisturbed.
The sex ratio in Maharashtra between 2007 and 2010, according to the economic survey, stood at 922 females per 1000 males. The national ratio for the corresponding period was 927:1000. The number of women is set to touch an all-time low of 915 by 2011, the survey projects.
Chief minister Ashok Chavan has termed the findings “extremely unfortunate” and urged the nodal ministries — women and child welfare and health — to initiate hard measures to tackle the problems through effective campaign.
Sources in the chief minister’s office (CMO) said, “Apart from administrative measures, the CM is also planning to rope in the Congress to take up the campaign against the pre-natal sex determination test.”
The gender disparity projected in the survey was tabled in the state legislative assembly and council on Tuesday.
The statistics complied by the women and child welfare department indicate that the female sex ratio is lowest in Mumbai at 770-820 per 1000 and highest at Gondia/Gadchiroli at 1028-1038 per 1000.
–Agencies–