The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action-taken report (ATR) within four weeks from the Health and Family Welfare Department of the State over foeticide cases that occurred in Banarpal block of Angul district.
Taking cognisance of a complaint filed by Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain, the rights panel issued the direction in this regard to the department recently.
Swain alleged that 55 abortion cases have been taken place in Banarpal block of the district within 10 months only. Interestingly some women, who have aborted their foetus, had registered their names with the National Health Mission (NHM) through local Anganwadi workers and received facilities for treatment like other pregnant women.
later it was found that the number of pregnant women registered with the NHM deferred from the data of actual child delivery. The Mother Child Tracking System of the NHM clearly indicated that some women were indulged in abortion. Swain has requested the commission to direct the State to take criminal or disciplinary action against public authority responsible for the cases.