Family Welfare Director appeals authorities not to neglect PC-PNDT Act
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 11 2018: In connection with the worldwide observance of International Day of Girl Child, the day was also celebrated under "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign at the conference hall of Health & Family Welfare, Manipur located near BT Road today.

Family Welfare Director Dr K Rajo, Additional Director Salamad Ulah and Joint Director Th Arunkumar graced the function as the chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the function, Rajo observed that the authorities concerned should not show negligence towards the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, even though the sex ratio in the State is relatively higher as compared to other parts of India, as there is always the possibility of occurrence of secretive incidents like sex determination of foetus or female infanticides in the State.

He informed that the Indian Parliament enacted the PC-PNDT Act on September 20, 1994 and implemented in 2003 and then amended later in 2011 .

Saying that the same act was implemented in 2003 in the Manipur, Rajo asserted that officials of Family Welfare and the authorities concerned have been putting their best effort to save female child.

With the creation of the State Supervisory Board, monitoring cells and appellant authorities among others, the authorities concerned of the PC-PNDT Act have been keeping a strict vigil at all hospitals and clinics in the State where there could be possibilities of sex determination, he added.

On the other hand, a media sensitization programme, where experts of PC-PNDT Act interacted with media persons was also held as part of the observance.

During the sensitization programme, Arunkumar pointed out the vital role of media in raising awareness about the PC-PNDT Act among the masses.

He conveyed that the State is still lagging behind in the sex ratio index of North East although the sex ratio data for Manipur has decreased to 936 in 2011 from 956 in 2001 in the census report.

Informing that six clinics in the State have been ceased after failing to meet the criteria given under the PC-PNDT Act, Arunkumar maintained that 56 clinics having ultrasound facilities and other machines that can determine sex of unborn babies have been registered so far under Family Welfare.

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