The issue was raised by Kaul Singh, a former Congress minister, who strongly advocated the need for raising incentives for families, adopting two-child norms and getting family planning operations done after one or two children. He also pleaded for maintaining proper records of pre-natal sex determination tests, both in government and private clinics. 

Replying to the questions, Bindal admitted that the situation has become quite alarming, especially in Solan and Una. Though there has been some improvement in the sex ratio in Hamirpur, Shimla, Kangra, Mandi and Bilaspur, some districts, including Kullu, have fallen back. 

He wondered how the previous government, despite availability of huge funds, could spent only Rs 3.5 lakh out of Rs 35 lakh earmarked for creating mass awareness about female foeticide. 

Bindal said two FIRs have also been lodged under PNDT Act. The Health Minister assured to involve NGOs, panchayati raj bodies and women activists to curb sex-determination tests in the state. He, however, parried questions on doubling incentive money for family planning operations. 

The issue of non-availability of subsided ration at the PDS outlets in the state also figured in the House, with Kaul Singh Thakur trying to pin down Food and Supplies Minister Ramesh Dhawala. 

Dhawala, in his reply, claimed that shortage of ration was due to delay in finalisation of the tenders by the HP State Civil Supplies 

Corporation. The bulk suppliers, he said, backed out from the earlier tenders after the price fluctuations caused by the central budget. 

Fresh tenders were floated and prices for the material items were finalised. By the month-end, the supplies will reach all depots and PDS outlets, he said.