The sex ratio in Haryana has increased to 850 females per 1,000 males in December last year as against 830 females per 1,000 males as per the census of 2011, according to the state government.

The improvement in the gender ratio is the result of various innovative schemes being implemented across the state, said health minister Rao Narender Singh.

Singh was speaking at a Panchayti Raj Sammelan organized by the National Rural Health Mission in Panchkula on Monday.

While referring to declining sex ratio in the state, he said that Panchayati Raj institutions could play a positive role in this direction.

Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act has been implemented strictly in the state.

The minister said that healthy and prosperous Haryana is the dream of chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

During the tenure of Hooda-led government, the budget of the health department has been increased from Rs. 300 crore to Rs.1600 crore.

Singh also hailed the chief minister for making efforts to set up medical colleges in the state.