Measures to curb sex determination tests

Warangal: In a bid to keep a tab on pre natal sex-determination tests leading to rampant sex selective abortions in the region, the administration has decided to organise legal literacy camps to sensitise the people about the Pre Conception Pre Natal Determination Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PCPNDT).

In a meeting that focused on PCPNDT implementation here on Thursday, District and Sessions Judge E Tirumala Devi emphasised the need for organising legal literacy camps, apart from creating awareness through short films that portray gender equality, girl child protection etc.

Short films such as Komal, a national award-winning short film on child sexual abuse, and Bharosa can help in sensitising the people, she said. She stated that measures to be taken to exhibit these short films in theatres.

The Judge highlighted the need for conducting decoy operations by DM&HO officials to expose foetal sex determination being clandestinely carried by clinics and diagnostic centres.

"The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) is ready to help the DM&HO and the NGOs working for curbing sex selective abortions," the Judge said.

"It's mandatory to have a monitoring mechanism to check misuse of ultrasound for sex determination," Tirumala Devi said, emphasising the need for installing an exclusive network in the 147 centres that have sex determination facilities.

Warangal Urban District Collector Prashanth Jeevan Patil said that they have been focusing on 'boy to girl birth ratio' which is encouraging in last few years.

Stating that administration is taking measures to implement 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana', the Collector emphasised the need for conducting awareness campaigns about Childline-1098 Service, the toll-free helpline for street children in distress, and 104 Services that offer medical health support services (MHSS).

"In 78 high schools we have started Balika Manch to put an end to domestic violence and also to provide a secure environment to the school-going girls," the Collector said.

DM&HO Dr B Hareesh Raj, MARI NGO representative R Krishnamurthy, legal advisor Revathy Devi and I&PR Deputy Director Yasa Venkateshwarlu were among others present.