Over 350 private sonography clinics stop operation in Jaipur

Clinics in Jaipur did not conduct tests on pregnant women today whereas sonography centres in other districts would join them tomorrow.

"It is not a strike nor agitation, but a painful decision we are bound to take due to arbitrary attitude of the government which in the name of violation of PCPNDT act is targeting innocent doctors," Vijay Kapoor, secretary of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Society said in a press conference here today.

"In the last few months, the department has taken action against several innocent doctors in the name of violation of the act, Pre conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex selection) 1994," he said.

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.

"We are also against sex determination and all the doctors are not involved in this illegal practice. Those who are not indulged in this are also being targeted by the department unnecessarily which is objectionable so we have no option but to stop functioning sonography machines," he said.

Sanjay Arya, president of the society said private sonography centres in other districts will not conduct test from tomorrow for indefinite period.

"We are getting confirmation from private doctors in other districts and they will join us from tomorrow," he said.

"Doctors are being targeted even for a clerical mistake. It is not justified," he said.

When contacted, an official of health department denied the charge saying that checking of sonography centres, wherever it took place, was impartial.

Bollywood actor Aamir 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.