Punjab Government To Engage Private Detectives To Curb Sex Determination

To check illegal sex determination tests being conducted at private ultrasound centers, the Punjab government plans to appoint private detectives.

Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani, while presiding over a meeting of the state supervisory board on the issue of illegal sex determination tests, said strict action would be taken against those indulging in illegal detection of sex.

Punjab has one of the worst sex ratios among states, with only 846 females per 1,000 males as per the 2011 census.

"All civil surgeons have been directed to keep an eagle's eye on the activities of all ultrasound centers being privately run in the state and have been asked to take immediate action against any violation of the PNDT Act. The state government has been tough with the dishonest owners of these centers," said Jayani.

Principal Secretary (Health) Vini Mahajan said a clear message has been given to the ultrasound centers by the government not to indulge in the illegal practice of sex determination.

The government has announced cash reward of Rs.1 lakh to anyone giving information about sex determination tests in the state.

"Because of the effective steps taken by the state government in curbing illegal sex determination tests, the male-female sex ratio was recorded at 846 in 2011 which was 798 in 2001," said Mahajan.

Source: IANS