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Sunday, May 27, 2007
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Cell proposed to combat female foeticide

P. Anima

Sex selective abortions rampant in Delhi

NEW DELHI: With Delhi having one of the worst sex ratios in the country and sex selective abortions being rampant even in its affluent hubs, the Delhi Commission for Women proposes to set up a cell to monitor implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act.

Outgoing DCW Chairperson Kiran Walia submitted a proposal along with a set of recommendations to the Chief Minister recently for setting up the cell under the Commission's control and ensuring effective implementation of the PCPNDT Act.

According to the 2001 Census, Delhi has an abysmally low sex ratio of 821 girls per 1,000 boys and the affluent south-west part of the Capital recorded one of the worst sex ratios of 846 girls per 1,000 boys. "The low sex ratio of Delhi is a matter of grave concern," says Prof. Walia, who completed her tenure recently. "It is unfortunate and ironic that a State with a high per capita income and spending power has such an attitude towards the unborn child," she added.

With sex selection widespread in the city with the emergence of pre-natal sex determination techniques, the DCW has proposed establishment of a monitoring cell as well as a task force to ensure effective implementation of the Act.

"The monitoring has to be effective to bring about a turnaround in the situation," said Prof. Walia, adding, "Since educated people are party to the practice and it is difficult to bring the perpetrators to book as those involved are the prospective mother, family and doctors, it is important to bring in fear against the practice of sex selection."

The Commission has suggested a change in the system of having doctors as appropriate authorities. It has proposed that the Deputy Commissioners of each district be made the Appropriate Authority.

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