Maharashtra plans MCOCA, tougher PCPNDT law against doctors behind sex determination

Mumbai: Doctors who determine the sex of a foetus before birth and carry out female foeticide will now face stricter action. State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said that, for such action to be effective in practice, the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act of 1994 and 2003 needs to be amended.

Abitkar said the sections applied to doctors caught in such offences will have to be made more stringent. Applying MCOCA to offenders, and changing the method of proving the offence and the punishment, are also necessary. He said a Bill amending the law will be introduced in the coming winter session.

A state-level task force has been set up to ensure strict enforcement of the law. Its first meeting was held at Mantralaya under Abitkar's chairmanship, and he spoke there. Dr Neelam Gorhe, MLA, chairperson of the task force, members MLAs Manisha Kayande, Uma Khapre and Sneha Dubey-Pandit, and Health Services Commissioner Sanjay Katkar attended.

Abitkar said the task force's work cannot remain confined to the state level and must reach the district level, so that complaints about such practices can come in from the districts. He directed that a time-bound programme be drawn up for the committee and that a separate team of officers and staff be appointed for the work.

The minister also said a list of unregistered bogus doctors should be prepared and made public. He said this would give citizens information about such doctors and the public would also help keep watch on them. Abitkar also directed strict action against such bogus doctors.

He drew attention to the fact that portable sonography machines are now available in the market and advertised on Google. He said a survey should be conducted and such products banned. He also suggested checking whether sonography machines meant for animals are being used on humans.

Abitkar also said meetings should be held in all districts before the winter session to review the district-level committees. The health minister suggested holding workshops to make those working on public awareness of the law more capable and efficient. Overall, Abitkar said he expects all agencies, from the state level to the district level, to work together to enforce the law strictly.