New Delhi/Bengaluru: Yet again, the gender ratio of the country, especially in 17 states has drastically decreased because of female foeticide. In the list of states with highest gender imbalance, Gujarat is at the top and Karnataka is at 8th position. These states witness decrease in the number of girls.

According to “The Healthy States, Developing India” report released by the National Institute for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, the fact to worry is that the gender ration which was 1000:907 in 2012-14 decreased to 1000:854 in 2013-15.

The satisfactory fact in the report is improved gender ration in some states including Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. However, the report expressed concern that the variation in gender imbalance signifies increasing female foeticide in the country.

To stop this, the Aayog has recommended strict implementation of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (prohibition and sex selection) Act, 1994 and increasing the awareness about the importance of girl child etc.