Private detectives to check sex determination tests in Punjab

Punjab government today said that it will engage private detective agencies to check pre-natal sex determination tests performed by privately run ultrasound centres in the state.
To effectively implement the PNDT Act in Punjab, the government has decided to avail the services of private detective agencies, state Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani said while presiding over a meeting of the State Supervisory Board.
In the meeting it was also decided that strict action would be taken against those indulging in illegal sex detection test, an official release stated.
Addressing the meeting the minister said, all the Civil Surgeons have been directed to keep an eye on the activities of all privately run ultrasound centres in the state to take immediate action against any violation of the PNDT Act.

The state government had been tough with the owners of these centres and as a result of which the sex ratio in the state has improved considerably, Jayani said.
Addressing the meeting, Principal Secretary Health, Vini Mahajan reiterated that the government has increased the cash reward of Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh to persons giving information about ultra sound centres involved in illegal pre-natal sex determination tests in Punjab.
She also said that because of the effective steps taken by the state government in curbing the illegal sex detection, sex ratio in Haryana has improved from 798 females per 1,000 males in 2001 to 846 females in 2011.