Shadow Correspondent
Kathua, Oct, 21
Deputy Commissioner Kathua Dr. Rakesh Minhas chaired the District Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting on the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act here today in the conference hall of DC Office complex.
The meeting focused on reviewing the Act’s implementation across the district, with detailed discussions on the registration of ultrasound centres, as well as the provisions for offences, penalties, and the overall monitoring mechanism.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Vijay Raina provided an update on the district’s 15 ultrasound clinics, comprising 12 private centres and 3 government-run facilities. He also gave a detailed account on Block wise latest Child Sex Ratio data which stands at 912 girl child per 1000 male children, better than the UT overall ratio of 890 but less than the National CSR.
DC emphasized the crucial role of the PCPNDT Act in promoting a healthy girl child sex ratio and directed strict enforcement through random inspections of ultrasound clinics. He called for adopting innovative means to further improve the Child Sex Ratio matching the National Average. He also advocated for the use of decoy operations to curb illegal sex determination practices.
The PCPNDT Act, passed by Parliament in 1994, aims to prevent female feticide and halt the declining sex ratio by banning prenatal sex determination.
The DAC approved the registration of a new private ultrasound centre in Bani and sanctioned the addition of a new ultrasound machine at the new building of Sharma Ultrasound and Imaging Centre, Kathua.
The meeting was attended by ASP Kathua, CMO, DAC members and special invitees.
