Panel inactive since its birth

Even after furore in civic body over skewed child sex ratio, state govt does not seem to be serious about curbing female foeticide

Even after furore in civic body over skewed child sex ratio, state govt does not seem to be serious about curbing female foeticide

Even as the uproar over skewed child sex ratio continues in the PMC, it is seen that the state government is not serious about the issue. If therer are more male children than female, it is an indication of an increase in female foeticide.

In the two years since its inception, the state-level committee formed to prevent sex determination tests has not met even once.

The State Inspection and Monitoring Committee which is supposed to ensure the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PCPNDT) Act or in simpler words prohibition of sex determination tests, has not had a single meeting in nearly two years now. A few doctors who are on the committee doubt if most of the members are even aware of its existence.

One of the mandatory nominations on the committee is the state health secretary. The state has two health secretaries, Bhushan Gagrani and Jayant Kumar Banthia. When contacted Gagrani said he was not on this committee, while Banthia who was on a vacation refused to answer. The latter took up office five months ago.

City gynaecologist Dr Sanjay Gupte, also president of Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) said that he was a member but had not attended a meeting for one and half years or more.

"There were no meetings. In fact, there is a smaller district committee which meets at least once in two or three months but at the state level, there has been no action on this front," said Gupte. A leading doctor from Mumbai, who is part of the district committee, said one of the reasons why efforts of agencies working against sex selection failed is because there was no central leadership.

Former Mayor Rajlakshmi Bhosale initiated the discussion on fall sex ratio, which was taken up by corporators across parties. They alleged that the health department did not carry out raids or take action against such clinics. They alleged that sex determination tests were carried out openly in clinics and through mobile ultrasound devices despite a national ban. In response, civic administration said cases had been filed against 26 doctors for flouting norms.

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