PC-PNDT Act not suspended: Centre

New Delhi, April 9

The government today clarified there was no exemption to diagnostic and ultrasound centres from compliance under provisions of the Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostics Act (PC-PNDT Act) for the period of the Covid-19 lockdown.

“There is speculation that the PC-PNDT (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, has been suspended by the Health Ministry. It is clarified that the ministry has not suspended the law. In view of the ongoing lockdown, the Health Ministry had issued a notification on April 4 to defer or suspend certain provisions under the PC and PNDT Rules, 1996, that pertain to applying for renewal of registration if falling due in this period, submission of reports by diagnostics centres by fifth day of the following month and submission of quarterly progress report by the states,” said the ministry.

The government said all centres would have to maintain all mandatory records on day-to-day basis as prescribed under the law. “It is only submission deadlines to respective appropriate authorities that have been extended till June 30. There is no exemption from compliance to the Act,” the Centre noted. — TNS

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