THE Maharashtra Government has reconstituted its inspection and monitoring committee to strengthen enforcement of the PCPNDT Act and curb illegal sex determination tests, officials said on Thursday. The eighteen-member committee, having a three-year tenure, has been constituted under the chairmanship of the State’s Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, while the Minister of State for the department will serve as vice-chairperson. The Maharashtra State Women’s Commission chairperson is also a member of the panel, apart from women legislators Sneha Dubey-Pandit, Shweta Mahale, Pradnya Satav and Bhavana Gawali, according to the Government resolution (GR) issued on May 4. Senior officers from the State health department, representatives from medical education services, and prominent doctors have also been included in the committee, the officials said.

 

The committee has been tasked with monitoring the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and inspecting registered sonography and genetic counselling centres. It will coordinate with agencies concerned to curb violations linked to sex selection tests and monitor the implementation of the law related to female foeticide prevention. The panel has also been empowered to recommend the sealing of sonography machines and initiate action if irregularities are found during inspections. This is an important step for the safety of the girls and to maintain gender balance in society, Vasai MLA Sneha Dubey-Pandit said. “Through this committee, strict implementation of the law will be ensured and stringent action will be taken against the guilty, while priority will also be given to public awareness,” Sneha Dubey-Pandit added.