Expressing concern over incidents of female foeticide, the Delhi Chief Minister, Ms Shiela Dixit, today said her government was considering imposing “heavy” fine and stricter punishment for those involved in such crime.

“The government is mooting heavy fine and strict punishment for those involved in such incidents,” Ms Dixit said after flagging off a walk at the India Gate lawns to mark the World Population Day.

Noting that her government was determined to come down heavily on those involved in the crime, she said female foeticide was causing imbalance in the gender ratio in the city.

As per existing legislation, any ultrasound clinic can be closed down if it conducts pre-natal sex determination test.

“We will have to intensify our efforts to save the girl child at any cost. The society will have to intensify campaign so that the ratio of girls and boys could be made even,” Ms Dixit said.

Exhorting all concerned citizens to raise their voice against female foeticide, Ms Dixit said concerted efforts are needed to stop the practice.

As per the 2011 Census data, the sex ratio of 866 in the national capital is fourth lowest among all the States and Union territories. Daman and Diu has the lowest sex ratio of 618 female per one thousand males followed by 775 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and 818 in Chandigarh.

However, the overall sex ratio at the national level has increased by 7 points since the 2001 Census to reach 940 females per 1000 male. This is the highest sex ratio recorded since 1971 and a shade lower than 1961.

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