Child Sex Ratio: A Geographical Comparison between Punjab and Haryana

The child- sex ratio is an important demographic characteristic. The ratio between female children and male children in the age group 0-6 called child sex ratio. In India child sex ratio calculated in term of females children over male children. The child sex ratio is important information about the status of females children in a country, it is low in the region where the practice of female foeticide, female infanticide and girl discrimination prevent. The latest census of India 2011 establish that child sex ratio is lowest since its independence (Kamal and Ashis).The condition in northern states particularly in Punjab and Haryana very critical where child sex ratio were 846 and 834 respectively.

The low child sex ratio in northwest India attracts attention of population Geographers to do research on spatial pattern, causes and impacts of low child sex ratio. According to Dyson and Moore(1983) study on how there exists dichotomy in the relationship structure between north and south India, which was found to determine the degree of independence enjoyed by women, which in turn would interpret its effect on fruitfulness and baby civilization. Gopal krisan and R.C Chandna found that the rural sex ratio of Haryana is higher than its urban sex ratio yet the gap between the two is not wide as in India as whole. T.V.Sekher and Neelambar Hatti has pointed out in the paper ―Discrimination of Female Children in Modern India: from Conception through Childhood‖ that the sex ratio imbalances are more severe in the north western region, which stretching from Uttarakhand in the north runs up to Maharashtra in the west across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat. R.C. Chandna (2005, page 296), observed, that strong desire to have a male child combined with the desire to limit the family size together have resulted in making Haryana the state with lowest child sex ratio in country.

The present study is following objectives. ■ To make temporal and spatial comparison of child sex- ratio between Punjab and Haryana. ■ To analysis differences in child-sex ratio in various segments of population like in rural-urban, religious groups. ■ To examine government policies or initiatives adopted for improving child sex ratio in Punjab and Haryana. and Haryana which lie within 27‖ degree 39 minutes north to 32 degree 32 minutes north Latitude and between 73 degree 55 minutes and 77 degree 36 minutes east longitudes. The state Punjab and Haryana contribute 50312 and 44212 sq. km area respectively to total 94524 square kilometers area to study area. As per 2011census the population of Punjab and Haryana are 2,77,04,236 and 2,53,51,462 persons respectively. Administratively Punjab and Haryana have 20 and 21 districts respectively.

Historically Haryana and Punjab always found last and second last place in child sex ratio table of India. Figure 1 shows the variation in child sex- ratio during 1971-2011. The barring some hiccups, Haryana and Punjab experienced long term decline trends in child sex ratio. In 1971(first census after the separation from each other in 1966) the child sex ratio in Haryana and Punjab was same that was 898 females children over 1000 male children which increased to 902 in Haryana and 908 in Punjab 1981 with the gain of four and 10 points respectively. But after that there was a continuous decline in child sex ratio till 2001. In 1981 it was 902 in Haryana which decline to 819 in 2001 with the decline of 79 points. In same period decline in child sex ratio was more in Punjab than in Haryana. In 1981 it was 908 in Punjab which decline to 798 with the decline of 110 points However child sex ratio in Haryana and Punjab has improved in 2011 contrast to national trends. In 2001 child sex ratio in Haryana was 819 which increased to 834 in 2011 with the gain of 15 points. Similarly in 2001 it was 798 in Punjab which increased to 846 with the gain of 48 points whereas in India it was 921 in 2001 which declined to 914 in 2011 with the decline of 13 points. It is important to mention that increase in child sex ratio during 2001-2011 was more in Punjab.

The Beti Bachao and Beti Badhao programme (save the girl child and educate her) is a programme of women and child development ministry, Government of India. The aim of this programme is to address the issue of decline in child sex-ratio. Out of 100 districts twelve districts are from Haryana which are highest in numbers compare to any other states of India. A close second to Haryana is neighboring Punjab with eleven gender critical districts (see table 1). The districts which had declining trend in child sex ratio and also those districts which has still low child sex ratio compare to other districts of respective states covered under the programme. The table 1 reveals that in Haryana four districts under Beti-Bachao and Beti-Padhao programme have decline trend in child sex ratio during 2001-2011 where in Punjab no districts under Beti Bachao and Beti-beti Padhao which have negative trends in child sex ratio same period.

• Both Punjab and Haryana have seen improvement in their child sex ratio from 2001 to 2011 contrast to national trend. In 2001 child sex ratio in Punjab and Haryana increased 846 and 834 from 798 and 834

2001 which declined to 914 in 2011. • In Punjab there is not even single district which recorded negative growth in child sex ratio whereas in Haryana five districts recorded negative growth even districts like Mahendergarh, Rewari and Jhajjar recorded 43, 24 and 19 points respectively decline in child sex ratio during 2001-2011. • The highest growth in Punjab recorded in Kapurthala district with the gain of 87 points (see table 2) where in Haryana highest growth rate recorded in Kurukshetra district with the gain of 47 points.

The district level data on child sex ratio provides further insight into the pattern that exists at this level within Punjab and Haryana. ■ According to 2011 census five districts of Haryana recorded child sex ratio below 800. The scenario is slightly better in Punjab where no Districts have child sex ratio below 800. ■ Mewat is only district among forty one districts of Punjab and Haryana having child sex ratio above 900 marks. The reason of better child sex ratio in Mewat, is less dependence on son child and absence of illegal use of sex selective technology (Sangwan and friends 2014). ■ In Punjab child sex ratio range from 820 in Tran Tarn to 879 in S.B.S Nagar with the difference of 50 points whereas in Haryana it range from 778 in Mahendergarh to 906 in Mewat with the difference of 128 Points.

It is clear from table 3 that Punjab has no block with a sex ratio over 891. The scenario is only slightly better in Haryana where five blocks above 891. Punjab has her main cluster between 801- 890 whereas Haryana has her main cluster between 771- 860. Table 3: Child Sex- Ratio 2011

According to the 2011 census, the rural child sex ratio of Haryana is higher (835) than its urban child sex ratio (832) yet the gap between rural – urban is not wide as in India which has child sex ratio 923 in rural areas and 905 in urban areas. In Punjab scenario is different to Haryana where child sex ratio in rural areas is lower (843) than urban areas (851)

■ The conditions regarding to sex ratio in Hindu community in both states is alarming which recorded below 880. ■ The sex ratio in Muslims in Haryana is better compare to Punjab which recorded 894 and 862 respectively. ■ The scenario is slightly better in Christian and Jains society where sex ratio in Punjab and Haryana are above 900.

IN PUNJAB AND HARYANA

There are many schemes adopted to improve child sex ratio in both Punjab and Haryana, few among them are mention here.

1. Ladli. - In order to improve child-sex ratio a scheme named Ladli has been introduced in Haryana State. Under the scheme a second girl child born on or after 20.8.2005 is given benefit of Rs. 5000/- per year for five years in the name of second daughter through mother/ father/ guardian and the matured amount of approximately Rs. 96000/- is given to the girl after completing the age of 18 years and she should be unmarried at that time. The aim of this scheme is to combat the menace of female foeticide. This scheme is very liberal as all eligible families will be provided benefit irrespective of caste, creed, religion, income and no. of sons. 2. Apki Beti Hamari Beti- Under this scheme one time grant of rupees 21000 is being provides at the birth of first girl child to the families belonging to schedule caste and BPL. This scheme was launched on 22 January 2015 3. Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Yojana (Shagun) - To prove that girl child is not burden to the parents there is scheme named Indira Gandhi Priyadarshni Viwah Shagun Yojana under this scheme Rs. 41000 is being given to person belonging to Scheduled caste, de-notified tribes, tapriwas Jatis and also widows of all sections of society living below poverty line and Rs. 11000 is being given to the person of other section of society living below the poverty line.

1. Ashirwad (Shagun)–The amount of Rs.15000/- was given to the parents/guardians of girls belonging to

Christian of Punjab domicile under the Ashirwad scheme on the occasion of their marriage subject to the condition that annual income of parents/guardians from all sources does not exceed Rs.32,790/-. 2. Bebe Nanki Ladli Beti Kalyan - under this scheme state govt. would invest 20,000 per beneficiaries with life insurance cooperation of India as premium. The scheme would be applicable to the families who had adopted the two child norms.

The influence of non-resident Indians (NRIs) from the area has helped change people‘s mind in curbing female feticide in Punjab. A programme under the name of nanhi chan has been launched to save the girl child. Under this programme various plants and the literature about the protection of girl child is distributed free of cost.

The conclusion of above discussion summarized in following points. ■ The improvement in child sex ratio is more in Punjab than Haryana during 2001-2011. ■ Twelve districts are selected from Haryana under Beti-Bachao and Beti-Padhao programme compare to elven from Punjab. ■ There is both improvement and decline in child sex ratio at districts level in Haryana where in Punjab all districts recorded improvement during 2001-2011. ■ There is a continuous belt of low child sex ratio in Haryana from north-east to south-west where in Punjab it is found in certain pockets. ■ In Haryana child sex ratio is more in rural areas than urban areas whereas there is a reverse situation in Punjab where child sex ratio is more in urban areas. ■ The sex ratio in Muslims in Haryana is better compare to Punjab which recorded 894 and 862 respectively. ■ Both Punjab and Haryana has launched nearly similar Programmes to improve child sex ratio with different names i.e. Ladli in Haryana and Bebe Nanki Beti Kalyan scheme in Punjab. The author is thankful to Mr. Pankaj Katwal, a research scholar in Geography for his help in preparing maps.

Sekher T.V. and Hatti Neelambar ―Discrimination of Female Children in Modern India: from Conception through Childhood‖ UNFPA publication. Kumar, Sunil (2014) ―Spatial-temporal analysis of child sex ratio in Haryana: An enter districts analysis‖ (M.Phil. dissertation), Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra. Kumar M. (2013). ―Distribution of population in Haryana: A correlation analysis‖ IIRRJ Vol. – V, December 2013. Kumar J. and Shilpa Devi (2013). ―Sex ratio of Haryana: A geographical analysis‖ GRA Vol. 2, Dec 2013. Kumar M. (2013). ―Child Sex Ratio in Jhajjar District (Haryana) A Spatio-Temporal Analysis‖. IIRRJ Nov.2013 Bhullar, G.J.S. (2011). “Gender Discrimination Sex Ratio Imbalance in Punjab” Vol. VII, No. 1, 2011 Census Operation, Punjab and Haryana Chandna, R.C. (2009). Geography of Population, Kalyani Publishers. Sangwan, Sneh and others (2014). Spatial Patterns of Skewed Child Sex Ratio in Rural Haryana. Mahapatra, S.K. (March 2012). Saving the girl child, Yojana Publication. Kumar, Pushan (2015). Declining Child sex ratio, employment news 14-20 February 2015. NCERT Book ―India, People and Economy‖ Class XII Geography 2005. United Nations Population Fund India, Sex Selective Abortions and Fertility Decline: The Case Study of Haryana and Punjab, Published Report, September, 2001 www.unfpa.org.in Krishan,G and Chandna R.C(1073). ― Sex composition of Haryana ‗s population Geographical review of India.

M. A. Geography, Punjab University Chandigarh