A team from the Department of Health and Family Welfare has sealed two private scan centres in Puducherry after it was found that they had violated regulations under the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection) Act, 1994.
A press release from the Department of Health and Family Welfare said that many scan centres had been inspected as per the directions of the Supreme Court and Secretary (Health) by the inspecting and monitoring committee officials under PC & PNDT Act 1994.
According to the 2001 Census, the female child sex ratio (0-6 years) for the Union Territory was 1013 female children per 1000 male children. In the 2011 Census, this declined to 965 female children per 1000 male children. Puducherry has more than 70 registered scanning centres, which include government and privately-run establishments. Last year, scanning centres were instructed to display information on the punishment (three years imprisonment and fine of up to Rs50,000) that violation of the Prohibition of Sex selection Act attracts.
They were also instructed to follow the guidelines regarding registration of personnel, equipment and use of Form F which states the patient’s consent.
