Maharashtra Govt to set up task force against illegal abortions, sex determination

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government will set up a task force to crack down on illegal abortions and prevent prenatal sex determination, an official said on Tuesday.

According to a government resolution issued by the public health department, the task force, led by MLC Neelam Gorhe, will conduct surprise inspections of sonography centres and clinics, review enforcement across districts, and recommend swift action in cases of illegal sex determination and female foeticide.

According to the PTI report, the task force will ensure effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, as amended in 2003, and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.

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MLCs Pragya Satav, Bhavana Gawali, Chitra Wagh, Uma Khapre and Manisha Kayande, and MLAs Sneha Dubey Pandit and Shweta Mahale have been appointed as members of the task force.

The Additional Director of the State Family Welfare Bureau, Pune, will serve as its member-secretary.

The task force, which will have a tenure of three years, will visit districts and municipal corporations to review implementation of the PC&PNDT Act and recommend corrective measures to the government.

District collectors, municipal commissioners and other appropriate authorities have been directed to provide administrative, technical and record-related assistance to the task force during its visits.

The task force will submit reports on its inspections and recommendations to the Public Health Department every three months, based on which necessary administrative action will be taken.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Maharashtra Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced that the state government will set up a Special Task Force (STF) to launch a state-wide crackdown on illegal IVF and sonography centres. Making the announcement in the state legislative assembly, the Minister also said the government was considering bringing such offences under the ambit of organised crime.

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