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Journalism of Courage
The sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Haryana’s Panchkula district has improved to 951 in the nine-month period from January to September 2025 from 914 in January to September 2024, Dr Mukta Kumar, Civil Surgeon, Panchkula, said.
“The improvement reflects the continuous enforcement measures, community awareness, and coordinated efforts undertaken by the district administration. The district has taken strict steps to regulate ultrasound and MTP centres and prevent illegal practices,” Kumar highlighted.
Sharing key statistics till September, the civil surgeon said that there are 57 registered ultrasound centres, with 33 registered medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) centres in the district. As many as 137 inspections were conducted in the PNDT centres, and 46 in MTP centres, with 11 show-cause notices issued (seven under PC-PNDT and four under MTP Act). There were 20 cancellations of MTP centres and seven successful raids under the PC-PNDT/MTP Acts.
“Regular surprise checks and field audits have been carried out to ensure compliance, transparency, and accountability. Incentives are provided to ensure community participation in reporting violations, and confidentiality and safety of informers/decoys are strictly maintained,” Kumar said.
According to the surgeon, among the major steps taken in 2025, include enforcement of mandatory RCH ID for all ANC cases before an ultrasound, with legal enforcement through targeted raids and FIRs against violators, reverse tracking of MTP/abortion cases, especially those beyond 12 weeks of gestation.
“Sixty cases have already been tracked till September with the registration of two FIRs against defaulters, along with cancellation of registrations of MTP centres found violating norms,” she added.
With measures of strengthening of inspections and monitoring mechanisms, the number of MTP cases beyond 12 weeks has significantly reduced from 355 in 2024 to 63 till September 2025. As for concerns regarding institutional deliveries, the civil surgeon highlighted that a matter of concern is that the C-section rate in private hospitals is more than 70 per cent, whereas in government facilities, it remains below 30 per cent. An appeal was made to the public to prioritise deliveries in government facilities, where evidence-based, safe, and cost-effective maternal health services are ensured.
“We request that all stakeholders contribute to making Panchkula free from sex determination practices. A deep-rooted misconception in society is that when a girl child is born, the entire blame and responsibility are unjustly placed on the mother. This belief is scientifically incorrect. Every literate person knows that females carry two X chromosomes, while males carry both an X and a Y chromosome. The gender of a child is determined by whether the sperm from the father contributes an X chromosome (resulting in a girl child – XX) or a Y chromosome (resulting in a boy child – XY). Hence, the responsibility of determining the sex of the child lies entirely with the male, not the female.”
“Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness, women face unnecessary blame, social stigma, and even mental trauma when they give birth to daughters. Participation of all stakeholders is essential to sustain and further improve the sex ratio at birth in Panchkula,” Kumar added.
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