Friday, March 17 2006 16:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The National Commission for Minorties (NCM) will hold talks with top Sikh clerics to find ways to restore gender balance in the commuity that is facing an alarming decline in its female population, its Sikh member said today (Mar 17 2006).

Census figures show that the sex ratio of women for every 1,000 Sikh men is 893 against the national average of 933.

The figure is lower, 786, in the 0-6 age group. The numbers show the decline is most pronounced in urban areas and among affluent families in Punjab.

NCM member Harcharan Singh Josh told sources he would tomorrow meet Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, the highest decision-maker at the seat of Sikh temporal authority in Amritsar, to find ways to bring about gender balance.

"I'll meet the Jathedar and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar in person and discuss the issue. The NCM will hold regular talks with the Sikh clerics with an objective to stem this alarming trend," Josh said.

In Punjab, the falling female population is being mainly blamed on female foeticide.

The practice is believed to be rampant in the state despite the Akal Takht ruling it illegal in an edict in 2001.