Stepping up its crusade against female foeticide in Chandigarh, the UT Administration has decided to authorise the sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to launch a crackdown against violations of the PC & PNDT Act.
The three SDMs including SDM south, SDM east, SDM central would now play a pro-active role in checking violations of PC & PNDT Act (Pre conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994) and initiating stern action against the violators in the city.
At present, the UT Director Health Services is only the appropriate authority to initiate actions against the erring doctors and others in case of violation of PC & PNDT Act.
The move is aimed at ensuring effective implementation of the PC & PNDST Act and that stern action is taken against the diagnostic centres and doctors who participate in pre-natal sex determination and foeticide.
Even as sex determination is an offence, a number of diagnostic centres in the city are carrying out the procedure.
While talking to The Pioneer, KK Sharma, Adviser to the Administrator said, “The UT Administration would authorise three SDMs to carry out inspections if required and to initiate stern action against the violators of PC & PNDT Act.
He said, “At present, only Director Health Services is authorized to do so. And, we have decided to authorise SDMs also since the issue needs involvement of more officials to strengthen the implementation of PC & PNDT Act in the union territory of Chandigarh.”
“Besides, the role of UT Police would also be significant in combating against the female foeticide. We are mulling to include more strict measures to curb this social evil.
There is a need to keep check on pre-natal sex determination tests in the city and to eradicate the menace of female foeticide,” he added.
The sex ratio which was quite skewed in Chandigarh has witnessed slight improvement in Census 2011. As per the Census data, the sex ratio of the city is 818. While in the urban areas the sex ratio is 822, in the rural areas it is 690. The sex ratio of the city in Census 2001 was 777, which was amongst the lowest.
Also, an improvement in the child sex ratio (0 to 6 years) was witnessed this time. From 819 in 2001, the child sex ratio has increased to 880 in 2011. While in the rural areas it is 871, in the urban areas it is 880.
To check the female foeticide, the Administration has already made it mandatory for ultrasound centres to take photocopies of identity cards and address proof of couples going in for ultrasound test for any reason, including determining the general health of the foetus.
The Administration had also decided to track down cases where couples already had a girl child and there were chances of the test being used for sex determination.
To further strengthen the implementation of PC and PNDT and MTP Act, the UT Administration had earlier directed all the ultrasonologists regarding the registration of the Genetic Counseling Centres, GeneticClinic, Genetic laboratory, Ultrasound, Imaging centres and their timely renewal.
The Administration had asked all the ultrasonologists that no scanning will be done for self referred cases until and unless they are registered in their OPD register.
And, the portable machines are to be registered with the vehicles and the centre and no machine can be utilised at the house of the beneficiary or at any other place. Also, the registration of MTP centre under specific category is mandatory.