CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has decided to make it mandatory for ultrasound centres to mention the name of the radiologist at their respective locations to effectively implement the PNDT (Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act and prevent any misuse of its provisions.

Chairing a meeting of the State Supervisory Board here, Haryana Health Minister Kartar Devi said that in the absence of any specific provision under PNDT rules whether the radiologist operating ultrasound machine should be part-time or whole-time, one radiologist was usually working for five to six registered ultrasound centres. She emphasised that creating awareness about the evils of female foeticide and changing the mind-set of people was of paramount importance to balance the declining sex ratio. Active participation of religious leaders and Non- Government Organizations (NGOs) could help in creating awareness and successfully implementing the PNDT Act.

Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary Urvashi Gulati said that fruitful results had been achieved in implementation of the PNDT Act as the sex ratio had improved considerably in 14 districts of the State as per the statistics available for 2005. The State Government had started birth registration at Primary Health Centre level to determine the number of male-female children born. Monthly monitoring was being done at the peripheral level. Director Health Services N.K. Sharma disclosed that a State task force had been constituted to conduct raids for curbing illegal practices of female foeticide. He said that there were 875 registered ultrasound centres and 66 registered genetic counselling centres.

Nearly 3,636 inspections of various ultrasound clinics had been conducted and 25 cases lodged in the district courts under the Act. Of these, five were related to pre-conception sex selection advertisements, two to non-registration of ultrasound centres, four to non-maintenance of records and 14 to communication of sex of foetus. Two accused persons, Dr. Anil Sabhabi, and Kartar Singh, Technician, had been sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000 under the Act.

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