District-level workshop on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act

“Drastic reduction of gender ratio (male and female) in the country is causing concern which should be viewed seriously,” opined P.G.M. Patil, Principal District and Sessions Judge.

He was speaking after inaugurating a day-long District-level workshop on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 organised jointly by District Administration, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Zilla Panchayat and Department of Health and Family Welfare at Mahatma Gandhi auditorium in Infosys campus here this morning.

About 300 doctors of various specialisations from government and private hospitals, Tahsildars and Taluk Health Officers participated in the workshop.

Patil pointed out that though pre-natal sex determination test was banned in the country way back in 1996, the ratio of male to female which was 1000:964 in 2011 had dropped further to 1000:945 in 2017 which is a serious concern.

He said that a few diagnostic centres were engaged in unethical practices which is a crime and would be dealt sternly when caught. He added that people should also co-operate to effectively implement the Act.

Delivering the keynote address, District Health Officer Dr. B. Basavaraj opined that superstitious beliefs had also further aggravated the situation leading to gender imbalance.

Dr. Basavaraj suggested that a strong legal action would alone curb the crime of sex determination test.

Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, who is also the Chairman of PCPNDT Act Authority observed that gender imbalance was not there in many western countries and added that the imbalance, if continues for another 10 years, would be detrimental.

He advised all Diagnostic Centres to abide by rules and shun unethical practices.

DLSA Secretary C.G. Mohammed Muzarullah, Authority Deputy Director Dr. M. Rajini, Nodal Officer  Dr. Vanajakshi, Mysuru Bar Association President G.V. Ramamurthy and others were present on the occasion.