The Supreme Court on Thursday directed Union Health Ministry to issue fresh guidelines on Sterilization to States after a PIl brought forth shocking details of how forced sterilization of women was resulting in deaths and complications in many States due to lack of counseling or post-operational care.
Dealing with a petition filed by Devika Biswas highlighting cases nationwide as reported in the media, the Bench headed by Chief Justice RM lodha remarked, “It’s frightening,” as it asked Centre, “The Health Ministry must act as facilitator in helping States evolve common practice.”
Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising informed court that Central Guidelines on Sterilization existed since 2006 but as “health” was a State subject any violations of Guidelines had to be dealt by States. But she agreed to issue supplementary Guidelines.
The petitioner suggested that women in rural India must not suffer “unhygienic and unethical” sterilization operations for which they must be properly counseled in a language they understand. This must be followed by pre-procedure clinical assessment.
In cases from Rajasthan and Bihar, Government doctors indulged in “coercive” sterilization. In Rajasthan, two women died due to negligence.