Chandigarh, Oct 21 — Punjab’s struggle to bridge the gender gap has worsened, with the state’s sex ratio at birth (SRB) falling to 922 girls per 1,000 boys in 2023 — its lowest in four years.
As per the 2023 Annual Report on Vital Statistics of India released by the Registrar General of India, Punjab ranks 20th among 28 states, trailing behind the national average of 928.
Officials say the state has witnessed a gradual fall from 925 in 2020 to 922 in 2023, and internal data indicates a further dip to 902 till August this year.
Punjab’s neighbours have fared better — Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan reported 945 and 935 respectively, while Haryana’s SRB stood at 911.
The health department has flagged several low-performing districts, with Sangrur (865) and Mansa (868) topping the list. Letters have been issued to deputy commissioners for immediate corrective action.
Dr Aditi Salari, Director (Family Welfare), Punjab, said, “We are holding district-level reviews and have asked officials to scale up community outreach and awareness. The trend is worrying and demands urgent attention.”
Officials said the persistent decline reflects the continuing practice of sex-selective abortions despite the ban under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, 1994.
“Female foeticide is still happening in pockets. Until deep-rooted social attitudes change, laws alone cannot reverse the trend,” said an official associated with the monitoring cell.
