Conviction rate low under PNDT Act

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 17

While the low rate of conviction under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act is a matter of concern, the improvement in sex ratio at birth certainly gives hope.

Sources said of the 256 raids conducted across the state from January 2009 to March 2016, as many as 18 hospitals and 27 doctors were found guilty. Only 4 doctors were convicted in Karnal, where the number of raids conducted was highest.

In Ambala, 22 raids were held, but only 2 doctors were convicted.

Due to lack of required security, many times the health department’s raiding teams have been attacked. On other occasions, doctors caught red handed conducting sex determination tests were let off under pressure from vested interests.

As a result, the health department’s efforts have bore little result in this regard.

On the other hand between 2014 and 2016, the sex ratio at birth has improved from 872 to 902 in 17 districts of the state, whereas, it has declined in the remaining 4 districts.

“After the launch of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, our raids have increased sending a strong message against female foeticide,” said a senior officer on condition of anonymity.

Health Minister Anil Vij, however, was not available for comment.