THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b): A report pertaining to the prevalence of sex selective abortions
in rich and educated Indian families was published in ‘The Lancet’, a medical
journal, on 4th June, 2011. According to the report which is based on review
of data of three rounds of the nationally representative surveys (National
Family Health Survey – 1, 2&3) carried out during the years 1990 to 2005, it
was found that the conditional sex ratio for second-order births when the
firstborn was a girl child, fell from 906 per 1000 boys in 1990 to 836 in 2005.
However, as stated in the report, decline was much greater in the case of mothers
with 10 or more years of education than in mothers with no education, and in
wealthier households compared with poorer households but there was no
significant decline in the sex ratio for second-order births if the firstborn
was a boy child, or for firstborns.
The Government is implementing a comprehensive legislation; the Pre-conception
and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994
and the Rules framed thereunder, for prohibition of sex selection before or
after conception, regulation of Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques and prevention
of their misuse for sex determination leading to female foeticide. Both the Act
as well as the Rules were amended in 2003 and the Rules were further amended in
2011 and 2012 with a view to make the provisions more stringent to act
as deterrent.
(c): The Government does not maintain gender-wise data of foeticide. However,
State/UT- wise cases of foeticide reported during 2010, 2011 and 2012, as
maintained by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), is annexed.
(d): Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy devising schemes,
programmes and awareness generation/advocacy measures to build a positive
environment for the girl child through gender sensitive policies,
provisions and legislation.
The measures include the following:-
# The Government has intensified effective implementation of the said Act
and amended various provisions of the Rules relating to sealing, seizure
and confiscation of unregistered machines and punishment against unregistered
clinics. Regulation of use of portable ultrasound equipment only within the
registered premises has been notified. Restriction on medical practitioners
to conduct ultrasonography at maximum of two ultrasound facilities within a
district has been placed. Registration fees have been enhanced. Rules have
been amended to provide for advance intimation in change of employees, place,
address or equipment.
# The Minister of Health and Family Welfare has requested all the State
Governments to strengthen implementation of the Act and to ensure timely
steps to stop illegal sex determination.
# The Prime Minister has urged the Chief Ministers of all States to provide
personal leadership to reverse the declining trend in Child Sex Ratio (CSR)
and address the neglect of the girl child through focus on education
and empowerment.
# Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has intensified efforts to exhort the
States and UTs to pay utmost attention to serious implementation of the Act.
# The Central Supervisory Board (CSB) under the PNDT Act has been
reconstituted and regular
meetings are being held.
# The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has been
requested to block sex selection advertisements on websites.
# The National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) has been
reconstituted and inspections of ultrasound diagnostic facilities
have been intensified.
# The Government is rendering financial support to the States and UTs for
operationalization of PNDT Cells, capacity building, orientation &
sensitization workshops, Information, Education and Communication campaigns
and for strengthening structures for the implementation of the Act under the
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
# States have been advised to focus on Districts/Blocks/Villages with low
Child Sex Ratio to ascertain the causes, plan appropriate behaviour change
communication campaigns and effectively implement provisions of the
PC & PNDT Act.
# Religious leaders, women achievers etc. are also being involved in
the campaign against skewed child sex ratio and discrimination of
the girl child.
