Organisations demand proper implementation of PCPNDT Act

PUNE: Various organisations in the city on Thursday criticised the state government for its lax approach to implementation of the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and submitted a memorandum of their demands to plug the loopholes in enforcing the Act.
"The Janawadi Mahila Sanghatana had caught a radiologist red-handed in misusing a sonography machine in private practice in Pimpri-Chinchwad in 2006.A criminal case was filed against him. But, he continued to be in service at the government-run Aundh chest and civil hospital. Later, when we protested and took to the streets he was suspended. But, to our surprise, he has been again taken into service and his suspension has been withdrawn," said activist Kiran Moghe. The organisation has demanded immediate suspension of the doctor in question.
Besides, two doctors were found flouting the rules of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act in Kolhapur in the last three months. But the concerned officials have not filed criminal cases against the doctors. "We want the government to take immediate action against the officials who failed to initiate action against the erring doctors and criminal cases be filed against the doctors," Moghe said.
The Bharatiya Mahila Federation's Thane branch had conducted a survey of 149 sonography centres in Thane and submitted the report to the concerned officials but the officials hardly took any cognisance. They should be served a show-cause notice for such a lax approach, Moghe added. Akhil Bharatiya Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana, Bharatiya Mahila Federation and the Dalit Mahila Vikas Manch presented the memorandum to the officials.