Odisha Government Intensifies Efforts to Improve Gender Ratio in Five Districts

Government Initiatives to Address Gender Imbalance

Bhubaneswar, August 4 - The Odisha government has ramped up its inspection efforts in five districts that are lagging in gender ratio. The authorities have been directed to ensure complete verification of all records and to launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign. These directives were issued during a meeting of the state supervisory board established under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act.

Under the leadership of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, the board identified Nayagarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, and Khurda as the five districts with the poorest performance in terms of gender ratio. In contrast, Jajpur has been recognized as the top-performing district in this regard. Mahaling emphasized that all necessary measures will be taken to improve the gender ratio in these districts. He stated, “District officials have been instructed to accelerate inspection campaigns, ensure complete verification of all records, and conduct extensive public awareness initiatives.”

The minister also mentioned that district-level committees will be further empowered, and there will be an increase in the inspection and monitoring of ultrasound centers.