Chowdhury said the practice was spreading to more states. "It's alarming that even liberal states like those in the northeast have taken to disposing of girls," she said.
The ratio has fallen since 1991, due to the availability of ultrasound sex–determination tests.
Although these are illegal they are still widely available and often lead to abortion of girl foetuses.
According to social activists, there are many loopholes that allow those who provide tests to remain free. Since the law was enacted in 1994, only one doctor has been convicted.
Chowdhury said the fall in the number of females had cost one percent of India's GDP and created shortages of girls in some states like Haryana, where in one case four brothers had to marry one woman.
Economic empowerment of women was key to change, she said.
"Even today when you go to a temple, you are blessed with 'May you have many sons'," she said.
"The minute you empower them to earn more or equal (to men), social prejudices vanish," she asserted.
The practice of killing the girl child is more prevalent among the educated, including in upmarket districts of New Delhi, making it more challenging for the government, the minister said.
"How do we tell educated people that you must not do it? And these are people who would visit all the female deities and pray for strength but don't hesitate to kill a girl child," she said.
Hence, the 'cradle scheme,' she explained.
“We want to put a cradle or 'Palna' [crèche] in every district headquarters to tell parents to have their children and leave them to us," Chowdhury said.
"What we are saying to the people is have your children, don't kill them. And if you don't want a girl child, leave her to us," the minister explained.
"Don't kill your children because there really is a crisis situation. It doesn't matter if the scheme encourages more abandoned children. It is better than killing them," Chowdhury added, responding to those worried whether the new scheme would encourage parents to abandon their newborn babies.
The minister said parents could have a change of heart later and take their children back.
"It is a matter of international and national shame for us that India with an (economic) growth of 9 percent still kills its daughters," she said.
Chowdhury said her ministry was also planning to set aside one day in the year and declare it as "National Daughter's Day."
However, Chowdhury did not say how much the orphanage plan would cost or when or where the first orphanages would open but affirmed that the money had been allocated in the next budget for it. It was not clear when the first orphanages will open.
The new programme has the strong support of the Catholic Church in India, with the Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Mumbai called it a "continuation of the good work being done by the Church for life."
Society
India to launch 'cradle scheme' to prevent female infanticide
By: Jacob Chaterjee
Thursday, 1 March 2007, 14:21 (IST)
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Added: Thursday, 1 January 1970, 6:03 (IST)
I applaud Madam Renuka chawdhry for atleast showing concern for this issue.I have been following her takes on many issues concerning girl child and women rights and I have found her taking right and strong actions in her war against age old customs of Indian society. I wish to compliment on her works and thank her for doing what she is doing. I hope she is alos able to fight our red tape sysatem to implement her visions for Indian women and girl kids.
manisha, Pune Maharashtra
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