Punjab govt to engage private detectives to curb sex determination tests

Concerned about an alarming sex ratios in the region, the Punjab government will now avail the services of the private detectives to investigate the illegal sex determination tests by private ultrasound centres.

The local government is coming tough on the violation of the PNDT Act, while incentivizing the move with a cash reward of Rs.1 lakh to anyone giving information about sex determination tests in the state.

Punjab has one of the worst sex ratios among states, with only 846 females per 1,000 males as per the 2011 census.

Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani, while presiding over a meeting of the state supervisory board on the issue of illegal sex determination tests, said strict action would be taken against those indulging in illegal detection of sex.

"All civil surgeons have been directed to keep an eagle's eye on the activities of all ultrasound centres being privately run in the state and have been asked to take immediate action against any violation of the PNDT Act. The state government has been tough with the dishonest owners of these centres," Jayani said.

Principal Secretary (Health) Vini Mahajan said a clear message has been given to the ultrasound centres by the government not to indulge in the illegal practice of sex determination.

"Because of the effective steps taken by the state government in curbing illegal sex determination tests, the male-female sex ratio was recorded at 846 in 2011 which was 798 in 2001," Mahajan said.