New Delhi: Odisha has identified five districts with the state's lowest sex ratio at birth (SRB) and directed local authorities to step up enforcement measures, tighten surveillance of ultrasound clinics and launch extensive awareness campaigns to address the gender imbalance.

At a meeting of the State Supervisory Board constituted under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, chaired by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Nayagarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Ganjam and Khurda were flagged as the poorest-performing districts on the SRB indicator. In contrast, Jajpur emerged as the state's best-performing district.

Expressing concern over the declining ratio of female births in the identified districts, Mahaling directed officials to intensify inspections, ensure 100 percent verification of records and strengthen enforcement of the PC-PNDT Act, which prohibits sex selection and regulates prenatal diagnostic techniques.

The minister said district-level monitoring committees will be strengthened to improve oversight, while inspections of ultrasound centres will be intensified to curb illegal practices linked to sex determination. He also stressed the need for sustained public awareness campaigns to discourage gender bias and promote the value of the girl child.

The state has already intensified enforcement over the past two years. Between 2024 and 2026, district authorities carried out 649 inspections, while state-level teams conducted another 11 inspections.

The crackdown resulted in six illegal ultrasound clinics being sealed and six ultrasound machines being seized. Authorities also initiated disciplinary proceedings against several government doctors and officials for alleged violations, underscoring the government's efforts to tighten compliance with the PC-PNDT Act.

The renewed focus on the five districts signals Odisha's attempt to address persistent regional disparities in the sex ratio at birth through a combination of stricter enforcement and community outreach.