Shimla, March 26 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh was among 10 states having the lowest child sex ratio (0-6 years) in India and 24 panchayats of Una district have alarmingly low (less than 500) sex ratio, a minister said on Thursday.

Health Minister Kaul Singh informed the state assembly that Una was among 100 districts in the country having low sex ratio.

The district has the lowest child sex ratio in the state at 875. He said even the National Human Rights Commission has taken note of the alarming scenario in the 24 panchayats of Una district.

He said Lahaul-Spiti district was on the top with the highest child sex ratio of 1,033 in the country.

The state has an overall child sex ratio of 909.

The minister said the health department has been keeping a check on the illegal practice of female foeticide going on in border areas of the state.

"We are continuously taking it up with the neighbouring Punjab to keep a check on the illegal ultrasound machines being run in Nangal and Hoshiarpur in Punjab," he said.