The correct answer is (a) Haryana.
Haryana has the lowest sex ratio in India, with 879 females per 1000 males. This is a decline of 11 points from the 1991 sex ratio of 990 females per 1000 males. The decline in the sex ratio in Haryana is due to a number of factors, including female infanticide, sex-selective abortion, and the preference for sons.
Female infanticide is the practice of killing female infants at birth or shortly thereafter. It is a common practice in some parts of India, including Haryana. The practice is often motivated by the desire to have a son, as sons are seen as being more valuable than daughters.
Sex-selective abortion is the practice of aborting a fetus based on its sex. It is also a common practice in some parts of India, including Haryana. The practice is often motivated by the desire to have a son, as sons are seen as being more valuable than daughters.
The preference for sons is a cultural phenomenon that is prevalent in some parts of India, including Haryana. This preference is often based on the belief that sons are more likely to provide economic support for their parents in old age than daughters.
The decline in the sex ratio in Haryana is a serious problem. It has a number of negative consequences, including a shortage of women in the workforce, an increase in the number of elderly people who are not cared for, and an increase in crime.
The government of India has taken a number of measures to address the problem of the declining sex ratio in Haryana. These measures include:
- Cracking down on the practice of female infanticide
- Making sex-selective abortion illegal
- Promoting the education of girls
- Providing financial incentives for families to have daughters
These measures have had some success, but the problem of the declining sex ratio in Haryana remains a serious one.