Latest news with #PCPNDT)Act
The Hindu
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Crackdown on centres performing gender determination tests
Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty has issued a stern warning that strict legal action will be taken against ultrasound scanning centres found conducting illegal gender determination tests. Addressing officials during a review meeting of the District Appropriate Authority Committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, the Collector highlighted the need for strict adherence to the law. The Collector also directed officials to intensify surveillance, instructing the formation of 15 teams to monitor the operations of scanning centres across the district. He advocated for more frequent decoy operations to catch violators and stressed the importance of documenting every pregnant woman's scan and submitting the data online on the same day. 'Only qualified doctors must conduct scans using approved equipment, and any changes in staffing, records, or machinery should be immediately reported to the District Medical and Health Officer,' he said. Violations will result in criminal cases and hefty fines, he said. Recent inspections have already led to action. An unauthorised scanning machine was seized from New Life Hospital in Secunderabad, and a case was registeredt. Similarly, Vivek Hospital in Saidabad was fined ₹2 lakh for operating two unregistered machines. In total, 26 centres were fined ₹50,000 each for various rule violations, with the warning that repeat offences would lead to registration cancellations, said a release. To strengthen public involvement, citizens have been urged to report any violations or suspicions related to gender determination through the toll-free number 1800-599-3366.
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Officials Vow Strict Action Against Sex Determination: PCPNDT Act Reviewed in Jogulamba Gadwal
Gadwal: A District Advisory Committee meeting on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, was held at the District Medical and Health Department Office in Jogulamba Gadwal under the chairmanship of Dr. S.K. Siddappa, District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO). The meeting focused on reviewing the implementation of the PCPNDT Act and ensuring strict compliance across all departments. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Siddappa emphasized the urgent need to spread awareness at the field level about the ban on sex determination tests and the legal consequences of female foeticide. He urged officials from various line departments to engage with communities regularly to educate people about the Act, especially in rural and remote areas. Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the DMHO stated that any person or medical professional found violating the PCPNDT Act would face up to 3 years of imprisonment, a fine of ₹50,000, and non-bailable charges. Repeat offenders could face 5 years in prison and fines up to ₹1 lakh. In addition, the licenses of medical practitioners and the registration of clinics involved could be suspended or permanently cancelled. Dr. Siddappa also called for widespread awareness of related laws, such as the POCSO Act and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which are crucial for protecting women and children's rights. He further advised that pregnant women experiencing mental health issues should be made aware of the 14416 toll-free helpline, which offers free mental health support. The meeting was attended by key health and welfare officials, including Dr. B. Damayanthi, Professor and HOD, Dr. G. Prasoona Rani, Maternal and Child Health Officer, Tanveer Rizwana, District Immunization Officer, Dr. G. Raju, Program Officer, NCVBDCP, K. Madhusudan Reddy, Deputy DEMO, P. Narendra Babu, DVLM, G. Narasayya, Health Assistant, and B. Narsinglu, District Child Protection Officer. Representatives from the Women and Child Welfare Department, the SAHKI One Stop Centre, and NGOs such as Parashuramudu also participated. The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution to intensify interdepartmental cooperation, enhance monitoring mechanisms, and ensure that all diagnostic centers strictly adhere to the PCPNDT Act. Officials reiterated their commitment to protecting the rights of the girl child and improving the gender ratio in the district.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Collector expresses concern over PCPNDCT Act violations in Chittoor district
Collector Sumit Kumar on Saturday expressed serious concern over the Medical and Health department's failure to check illegal sex-determination tests in Chittoor district, which surfaced a couple of days ago, leading to the arrest of five persons. Addressing the District-Level Advisory Committee meeting on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act at the Collectorate, Mr. Sumit Kumar criticised the Medical and Health department officials for their lack of coordination and failure to monitor the criminal activity at the grassroots level. District Medical and Health Officer Sudha Rani, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) project officer Venkateswari, and senior officials from the wings of Immunisation, Drugs, and Women Police took part in the meeting. The Collector questioned the officials as to how the reports of illegal sex-determination tests were not reaching them. He observed that it was incompetent on the part of the officials that they could not carry out any field-level awareness camps through the paramedical staff and Anganwadi staff regarding the health status of pregnant women. 'It is unfortunate that, though ASHA and ANM workers operate at the community level, they were unaware of mothers with two or more daughters conceiving again. This is a critical indicator for potential sex-selective practices,' Mr. Sumit Kumar said. Referring to the poor sex ratio in Chittoor, with only 947 females per 1,000 males as per the latest census, the Collector observed that the situation was very alarming when compared to other districts. 'If this continues, the girl-child population would be at a high risk. Saving the girl child is our collective responsibility,' the Collector said. Sumit Kumar highlighted that the ICDS and the DM&HO should conduct joint review meetings with field staff of both the departments and bridge the gap in coordination. The Collector said that the mandals of Nagari, Vijayapuram, Nindra, Karveti Nagaram, Palamaner, Punganur, and V. Kota, which share porous borders with Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, were prone to higher instances of illegal abortions in private hospitals. He instructed the Drugs Department personnel to mount surveillance on the unauthorised clinics and medical stores selling drugs without prescriptions. 'Maintain a proper record of all the scanning centres and equipments available with them, along with daily reports of the patients visiting the units,' Mr. Sumit Kumar directed the police officials.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Hans India
Foetal sex determination racket busted in Chittoor
Chittoor: District Collector Sumit Kumar has issued a strong warning against conducting foetal sex determination tests, stating that such practices are illegal under Indian law and that strict legal action will be taken against those involved. On Wednesday, officials conducted a decoy operation in the Bharat Nagar Colony of the 9th Ward in Chittoor city. During the operation, individuals who had arrived at a private residence to undergo sex determination tests were identified and caught. The operation was personally overseen by the District Collector, who confirmed the illicit activities taking place. Authorities seized medical equipment used for the illegal tests and ordered the premises to be sealed. A formal case has been registered, and notices have been served to the District Medical & Health Officer (DM-&HO) and the Deputy Commissioner of Health Services (DCHS) in connection with the incident. According to officials, 11 women were present at the location, reportedly prepared to undergo foetal sex determination procedures at the time of the operation. 'Despite knowing that foetal sex determination is a punishable offense, some individuals continue to engage in such unlawful activities. We are committed to taking stringent action against all those involved,' said Collector Sumit Kumar. Chittoor RDO Srinivasulu, Tahsildar Chandrasekhar, and other officials participated in the operation. The incident has raised concerns over the persistence of illegal sex determination practices, which are believed to contribute to gender imbalance and female foeticide. Authorities reiterated their commitment to enforcing the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act to curb such violations.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- The Hindu
Prenatal sex-determination racket busted in Chittoor, five held
In a swift and suprise operation, Chittoor district officials, led by District Collector Sumit Kumar, uncovered an illegal prenatal sex determination racket operating in Venkateshwara Colony under the municipal corporation limits on Wednesday. The sting operation was done based on reliable information received from officials in Tamil Nadu. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Sumit Kumar said: 'The group has been illegally conducting prenatal sex determination tests on pregnant women. A clear violation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act'. We got reliable information from Tamil Nadu that as many as nine women were waiting at the location to undergo tests. Our team acted swiftly and arrested the five organisers, including three women. A deeper probe has been ordered, and we are going to take on more accused in Chittoor and Tamil Nadu.' The Collector confirmed that diagnostic and medical equipment used for conducting sex determination tests have been seized. Mr. Sumit Kumar said: 'We are also tracing the source of the equipment, the person who sold the equipment, and the license holder of the equipment. It is a very serious crime, and no one will be spared.' 'The pregnant women found at the location are 'considered to be victims or vulnerable persons,' and are currently being questioned,' added the Collector. Following the Collector's directive, the Chittoor urban police have registered a case and launched further investigation.
