Maharashtra Forms State-Level Task Force to Curb Female Foeticide, Improve Sex Ratio

Maharashtra has set up a state-level task force to improve the sex ratio at birth and prevent illegal abortions and female foeticide. The panel will monitor the implementation of laws around prenatal diagnostic tests and medical termination of pregnancy across the state.

The Public Health Department issued a Government Resolution appointing Legislative Council member Dr Neelam Gorhe as the chairperson of the task force. The move followed a proposal submitted by the Additional Director of the State Family Welfare Office in Pune on August 20.

The task force was created after the state received reports of violations of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. It will bring together elected representatives and government authorities to strengthen monitoring and enforcement.

The task force will visit districts and municipal corporation areas to review the PCPNDT and MTP laws. It will also carry out surprise inspections with local authorities. These inspections will cover sonography centres, diagnostic laboratories and facilities that provide medical termination of pregnancy services.

If violations are found, the task force will be able to ask the authorities to take immediate legal action. The panel will also focus on prompt criminal or other legal proceedings against medical facilities found to be violating either the PCPNDT Act or the MTP Act.

The task force will hold coordination meetings with officials at the district level. Another part of its work will focus on public awareness. The panel will propose campaigns on preventing female foeticide and the value of the girl child.

The task force will also make recommendations to the state government on administrative difficulties and legal loopholes that may affect enforcement of the PCPNDT and MTP Acts in different parts of Maharashtra.

District collectors, municipal commissioners and other relevant authorities will provide the task force with administrative, technical and documentary support needed for its work. 

The panel will submit a report to the Public Health Department once every three months. The reports will include its findings and recommendations. The state-level task force will remain in operation for three years.