Health Department directs medical councils to take action within a week amid concerns over illegal sex determination and female foeticide
The Maharashtra Health Department has directed medical councils in the state to cancel the licences of 34 doctors within a week for alleged violations of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. The move comes amid growing concerns over illegal sex determination and female foeticide.
The directive was issued after questions regarding the implementation of the PCPNDT Act were raised during the ongoing session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. In response, the state government reviewed the enforcement of the law and ordered strict disciplinary action against violators.
The decision was taken during a review meeting chaired by Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, who assessed the implementation of the PCPNDT Act across the state. He stressed that the government would take stringent action against doctors found involved in illegal prenatal sex determination and female foeticide.
According to reports, the minister instructed authorities to expedite disciplinary proceedings against practitioners whose cases have been pending before medical councils for a long time. He stated that the government has taken serious note of PCPNDT violations and will ensure strict punishment for those found guilty.
Official records indicate that the Maharashtra Health Department has initiated action against 193 medical practitioners since the PCPNDT Act came into force. These practitioners are registered with various professional bodies, including the Maharashtra Medical Council, Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine, and Maharashtra Council of Homoeopathy.
However, disciplinary action against 34 doctors has remained pending with these councils. Among them, 14 doctors are registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council, 10 with the Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine, and another 10 with the Maharashtra Council of Homoeopathy.
Under Section 23(2) of the PCPNDT Act, once a registered medical practitioner is charged with violating the provisions of the law, the appropriate authority must inform the respective state medical council so that disciplinary proceedings can be initiated.
During the review meeting, authorities also examined cases where chargesheets related to female foeticide have already been filed. Officials have been directed to suspend the licences of the accused doctors within a week while the cases remain under trial, and to ensure that the legal process continues until a final verdict is delivered.
