Ludhiana, August 17
Giving a note of warning to owners of ultrasound scan centres against conducting pre-natal sex determination test and violation of other provisions of PNDT Act, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Verma, expressed the resolve of the administration to come down heavily on the defaulters. He also directed the Civil Surgeon to conduct raids on scan centres in the district and to keep a strict watch to ensure strict implementation of the Act.
Addressing a special meeting of gynaecologists and sonography experts, organised by the Ludhiana Chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) at Guru Nanak Bhawan here last evening, Mr Verma said the decline in the sex ratio in the district had touched an alarming point of 854 females against the national figure of 933 against 1000 males.
He observed that members of the IMA had always extended their full cooperation in curbing female foeticide, but there were some black sheep, which were still indulging in illegal act of determination of sex and abortion of the female foetus, because of their greed for money. “The administration is determined to enforce the provisions of the PNDT Act in the district through different agencies so that no one can escape the law.”
Mr Verma said indulging in sex determination and illegal abortion was not only a heinous crime, but also a most shameful and anti-social activity, which was spoiling the fabric of a harmonious society.
The Deputy Commissioner made it clear that the state government was very serious on this issue and the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, in a recent meeting of deputy commissioners, had directed them to take strict measures to stop this menace. He further asked the people to keep a strict watch in their localities and intimate the authorities if they notice any such violations of the Act. It was only with the cooperation of the people that such anti-social elements could be exposed and punished.
Dr Rajinder Kaur, Civil Surgeon, while addressing the meeting, appreciated the role of the IMA for extending support and cooperation in this regard. She said special teams had been constituted all over the district and frequent raids would be conducted at scan centres.
Dr Gursharan Singh, president of the district unit of the IMA, while addressing the meeting, maintained that the medical professionals had always been extending their full support to the administration to curb the menace.
