(a) whether the district authorities are effectively monitoring the use of sex determination tools by families and doctors and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether stringent legal actions are being taken against those using them under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (BBBPS); and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)
(a) to (c): Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (BBBP) was launched by Hon''ble Prime Minister on 22nd January, 2015, addresses the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women empowerment. It is a tri-ministerial initiative of Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). As a Partner Ministry, MoHFW has been playing major role for ensuring effective implementation of PC&PNDT Act to curb and arrest the discriminatory practice of gender - biased sex selection (pre-birth discrimination) which not only artificially skews the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) but also impacts the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in the long run.
The financial assistance has been provided to the district administrations under BBBP Scheme to supplement the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s efforts to strengthen the implementation of PC&PNDT Act in the 161 selected districts under BBBP. The MoHFW has taken/initiated the following actions and measures
(i) A National Capacity Building Programme for State Appropriate Authorities and State Nodal Officer was organized in 2017.
(ii) A comprehensive Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) for District Appropriate Authority has been prepared under PC&PNDT Act.
(iii) Inspections by the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) have been regularly conducted across the country.
(iv) Constitution of a Nodal Agency to regulate and remove the e-advertisements on internet relating to preconception and prenatal determination of sex or sex selection prohibited under PC&PNDT Act.
(v) A two day orientation and sensitization of judiciary was organized by National Judicial Academy (NJA) in 2017. NJA also conducted special session under PC&PNDT Act in two orientation programmes for High Court Judges in 2017-2018.
As per Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs) December'' 2017 submitted by States/UTs, 59836 diagnostic facilities including Genetic Counseling Centre'' Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinic, Ultrasound and Imaging Centre have been registered under the PC& PNDT Act. So far, a total of 2007 machines have been sealed and seized for violations of the law. A total of 3986 (2713 pending & 1273 disposed off) court cases have been filed by the District Appropriate Authorities under the Act and 449 convictions have so far been secured. Following conviction, the medical licenses of 118 doctors have been suspended/ cancelled.
********