Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss Wednesday said that the government is willing to bring amendments in the legislation concerned to prevent sex selective abortions
Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss Wednesday assured representatives of the civil society and NGOs that the government is willing to bring amendments in the legislation concerned to prevent sex selective abortions.
"The government is willing to bring further amendments in the Preconception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act for stricter enforcement of the legislation," Ramadoss said while addressing the 14th meeting of the central supervisory board.He assured that a decision would be taken by August when the next meeting is scheduled to take place.
Announcing the constitution of a three-member monitoring cell, the minister said a provision is also being made for the online filing of complaints against any medical practitioner indulging in sex determination tests and assisting in sex selective abortions.
The minister revealed that 387 cases have been registered so far for conducting sex determination tests and selective abortions, while in one case in Jammu and Kashmir the concerned doctor has been convicted.
Seeking the help of the civil society and NGOs in stepping up vigil, Ramadoss said plans are under consideration to set up monitoring cells in each state.
He said the central government has brought the legislation into force, and it is now up to the state governments to ensure its proper implementation and take deterrent steps.
The health minister has offered Rs.500,000 to MPs from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Chandigarh - the areas with very skewed gender ratio - who are willing to spread awareness on checking the menace of female foeticide and infanticide in their constituencies.
(Source: IANS News)
