(a) whether the Government has issued certain notifications on misuse of ultrasound in the recent past;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there has been opposition from various quarters including Indian Radiological and Imaging Association to the above notifications;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
(e) the corrective measures taken/ proposed by the Government to address their concern in the matter?
MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) to (e): The following amendments to Rules under the PC & PNDT Act have been notified:
# Amendment to Rule 11 (2) of the PC & PNDT Rules, 1996, notified vide GSR 426 (E), dated 31st May 2011,
to provide for confiscation of unregistered machines and further punishment under the Act.
# Amendment notified vide GSR 80(E) dated 7th February, 2012, to regulate the use of portable ultrasound equipment and services offered by mobile genetic clinics.
# Amendment notified vide GSR 418( E),dated 4th June 2012, restricting each medical practitioner qualified under the Act
to conduct ultrasonography in a genetic clinic/ultrasound clinic/imaging centre, to be registered with a maximum of two
such clinics/centers within a district, enhancement in Registration fee for bodies under PC&PNDT Act and intimation of
every change of employee, place, address and equipment installed, to the Appropriate Authority within a period of 30
days in advance of the expected date of such change by clinics and facilities .
The Notification GSR 418(E), dated 4th June 2012, has been challenged by Indian Radiological and Imaging Association
in Hon’ble High Courts of Bombay, Delhi, Nagpur, Chandigarh and Lucknow and the matter is sub-judice.