PANAJI: With an aim to strengthen the Pre-Conception & Pre-Natal Diagnostics Techniques Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act), the state-level advisory committee has proposed to constitute a state-level inspection and surprise checks committee to check sonography centres and conduct decoy operations across the state.
There are no records available on sex-selective abortion rackets with the committee overseeing the implementation of the PCPNDT Act. Moreover, not a single case was registered against doctors under the Act, for carrying out sex- determination test. Admitting that the implementing authority for the state under this Act has failed in curbing the illegal practices, member of state supervisory board said there is inadequate monitoring and it is difficult to react, with no complaints. “There are no complaints received of illegal sex-determination tests till date,” the official said adding that the new proposal has been made so as to intensify the checks and to carry out decoy operations.
There is a state-level supervisory board, which is responsible for overlooking the stringent implementation of the PCPNDT Act that bans female foeticide. Two district inspection and monitoring committees are constituted in the state, headed by district collectors to take action against individuals who perform, facilitate or encourage the practice of sex determination.
It has been also proposed to include mamlatdars as members to the existing district inspection and monitoring committee, which presently comprises of technicians, private and government doctors.
In 1994, the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) or PCPNDT Act made sex determination illegal. Any individual, even a doctor, can be punished for revealing the sex of a foetus to prospective parents or members of a family. NT
