Once a flagship social mission, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, launched by PM Modi about a decade ago with much fanfare from Panipat, is now floundering in Haryana. As the sex ratio at birth starts to slide again, the state seems to have finally woken up to the grim scenario, writes Pawan Kumar Bansal
“Beti Bachao,Beti Padhao” programme, launched by PM Narender Modi about a decade ago with much fanfare from Panipat in Haryana, is losing steam. The program which was at one time a priority programme of the Haryana government is no longer so.
The Program has lost its ownership and the government, although evincing its concern, has lost its interest in the programme. Sex ratio at birth, which was at its peak at 923 against 1,000 about five years ago, has slumped to 910 now. Although the government has taken some action to check sex detection tests, it seems that the issue is not on the priority list of political bosses.
The State of Haryana which was notorious for honour killings and female foeticide had established a benchmark by making appreciable improvement its sex ratio at birth from 871 ( 871 girls per 1000 boys) in 2014 to 923 in 2019 after Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign was launched by the Prime Minister. “Save the Girl Child” campaign was undertaken by the state as a challenge and was looked after personally by the then Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who had designated Dr Rakesh Gupta, additional PS to the CM, to take it forward.
Monthly review meetings with Deputy Commissioners, quarterly divisional meetings at Division level to review the progress of campaign and coordination with adjoining state administration helped the CM office to get the state out of the red in a short span.
Efforts of the state bore fruit and the state crossed SRB 900 in 2016. The state was appreciated throughout the country as well as globally.
As a part of planned strategy, District PNDT teams conducted more than 1000 decoy operations using pregnant women as decoy to unearth an unholy nexus of sex detection and illegal abortion leading to female foeticide. Ultrasound machines of such unscrupulous elements were sealed, seized, FIRs lodged and wrongdoers were put behind jail. It was indeed a “War against female foeticide” situation in the state.
Sex Ratio at Birth continued around 920 till the year 2023 (SRB 916) however after 2023, it started down trending and is presently pegged at 909 till March 2025. Due to multiple reasons, the program lacked the muscle to reach 950, which was the target and perfect figure from a public health point of view.
Worried over the declining sex ratio, the government finally seems to have found some verve, as it is reportedly launching fresh initiatives to stem the slide. The Hisar nodal officer for PNDT (Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques) has been suspended, and officers in some of the poorly performing districts have been replaced.
Some of the doctors incharge, paramedics of those health institutions with skewed sex ratio are being proceeded against. Sex ratios of various health institutions are regularly being monitored by DHS (NHM) designated for this program. Strict directions for the sale, use and supply of MTP kits in the state have been issued. Sudhir Rajpal, additional chief secretary, Health, is reviewing the progress of the programme on a weekly basis with health, WCD and other concerned officers. Besides, senior medical officers have been asked to explain the reasons for low sex-ratio at birth documented in their centres. The State drug controller has been asked to ensure that MTP kits are only sold to registered MTP centres.
Besides, pregnant women with one or more female children are being counselled against female foeticide. It is believed that crackdown happened as PM Narender Modi is personally monitoring the success of the program. It is believed that half-hearted official measures can only be effective if backed by strong political will. Meanwhile, Union Minister, Manohar Lal who as CM, had ensured the programme’s successful implementation, is also in touch with CM Naib Saini over the issue.
