Coming down heavily on private clinics conducting prenatal sex determination tests,the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Thursday demanded immediate ban on private ultrasound clinics and laboratories allegedly carrying out illegal tests.
DCW chairperson Barkha Singh, in a letter to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, said action against such private clinics was necessary to stop female foeticide. She alleged some clinics are minting money in lieu of sex determination and subsequent sex-selective abortions. Expressing serious concern over the issue, she sought strict actions against the ultrasound clinics allegedly involved in pre-natal sex determination tests. “Nothing is going to change unless surprise checks or raids are conducted against such clinics. I urge the Government to make people aware about the deadly menace and put an end to it,” she added. She further said that DCW may also conduct surprise raids and checks against such clinics.