Jaipur : Alleging unfair treatment by the Rajasthan government, owners of private sonography centres here decided to stop conducting ultrasound tests on pregnant women from today.
“We will not perform test from today and the decision is for indefinite period. Department of Medical and Health is indiscriminately taking action against sonography centres in the name of violation of PCPNDT (Pre conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection), 1994) Act,” Dr Vijay Kapoor, Secretary of private hospitals and nursing home society told reporters here.
“All the sonography centres are certainly not involved in (the) illegal practice of sex determination but the government is taking action against the centres in a biased manner,” he claimed.
Kapoor alleged the health department had seized some machines and cancelled licences in the last few days without proper checking.
Expressing support on the need to stop female foeticide, Kapoor said those found guilty should be suspended, however, the government should be impartial in its approach.
There are nearly 350 private sonography centres in the city and all of them have decided to not perform ultrasound tests on pregnant women from today onwards till the state government gives assurance on the issue, he said.
When contacted, an official of the medical and health department denied the charge, saying that checking of sonography centres, wherever it took place, was impartial. Bollywood actor Amir Khan highlighted the issue of female foeticide in the first episode of his reality TV show ‘Satyameva Jayate'.
He also met Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to press for speedy trials in such cases and was assured of action on the issue.
