A file pertaining to ₹2.5 lakh incentive to those participating in decoy operations to expose sex determination tests performed at diagnostics centres is still not cleared. It has been more than ten months that Telangana Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Cell received approval to grant the incentive. Currently, around ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 is given.
Some States such as Rajasthan have been giving ₹ 2.5 lakh under Mukhbir Yojana. After Telangana Health Department’s PCPNDT Cell officials sent a proposal, National Health Mission’s official approved the hike. Officials earlier said that the hike from ₹15,000 to ₹2.5 lakh will help in bringing down female foeticide.
The ₹2.5 lakh will be distributed between three parties — ₹1 lakh will be awarded to the person who gives tip-off on clinical establishments where sex determination tests are performed, ₹1 lakh to the pregnant woman who poses as patient in need of the illegal test, and the remaining ₹50,000 will be given to one who accompanies the pregnant woman in the decoy operation.
However, before issuing the incentives, officials had to frame guidelines on certain criteria based on which participants will be selected, who will select them, security that has to be assured to the pregnant woman, informers and the person who accompanies the pregnant woman and other details. After top officials in the Health Department approve the guidelines, it will be sent for another approval from State government. Thereafter, the guidelines will be publicised.
Sources said that senior officials in the State Health Department have not approved the guidelines yet. “The file is not cleared yet,” sources said.
