61 FIRs in 2 months for foetal sex tests in state

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Fatehabad/Sirsa, July 29

Owing to stern measures after the launch of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Abhiyan, 61 FIRs have been lodged in the state for foetal sex tests under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act in two months.

Besides, 22 ultrasound machines have been sealed in the state during this period. Based on the number of FIRs and number of machines sealed, the state government has categorised 10 districts as good performing, six as poor performing and five others as average performing districts.

Rakesh Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, who looks after the Beti Bachao, Beti Padho Abhiyan in the state, today discussed ways for the better implementation of the drive with Deputy Commissioners, ADCs and officials of the Health, Education and Women and Child Development departments of all districts of the state through videoconferencing.

With 12 FIRs in two months, Faridabad is on top among 10 good performing districts selected under the abhiyaan. The others are Panipat (nine FIRs), Karnal, Kaithal, Palwal and Sirsa (four each), Hisar and Yamunanagar (three each) and Gurgaon and Ambala (two each).

Jind, Sonepat, Rewari, Kurukshetra and Naranaul are the five average performing districts with two FIRs each; Jhajjar, Panchkula, Bhiwani and Fatehabad with one FIRs each; and Rohtak and Mewat with no FIRs are among the district being rated as poor performing.

Though Gurgaon and Ambala had two FIRs each like the five average performing districts, they have been placed in the first category because three ultrasound machines were sealed in Gurgaon and one Medical Termination of Pregnancy licence was cancelled at Ambala.

Fatehabad ADC Rajesh Jogpal, who also attended the videoconference, said besides 61 FIRs and sealing 22 ultrasound machines, 23 chemist shops have also been sealed for selling abortion drugs from May 28.

He said six inter-state raids (two in Punjab, two in Uttar Pradesh and two in Delhi) and two inter-district raids were also conducted during this period.

The Indian Medical Association, however, said the criterion adopted by the government for the rating of the districts on the basis of FIRs was not correct.

“There is no provision of FIRs under the PC&PNDT Act and only the Appropriate Authority (Civil Surgeon) can file a complaint in the court in such cases,” said Dr DS Jaspal, former vice-president of the IMA. He suggested compulsory registration and ultrasound of all pregnancies to stop female foeticide.