Raj starts 'Informer' scheme to check sex determination tests

The Rajasthan government has announced a new 'informer' scheme to contain illegal sex determination tests in expecting mothers at private clinics or hospitals.
A cash reward of Rs 2 lakh to informer, decoy woman and her accomplice would also be given under the scheme.
"PCPNDT (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique)- (Prohibtion of Sex selection), Act 1994 needs to be implemented strictly in Rajasthan", its Project Director, Kishna Ram Esharwal said.
Quoting a recent order of the PCPNDT cell of September 3, the Project Director said on a successful "decoy operation" on the provided information, the informer would be given reward of 40 per cent out of Rs 2 lakh, 40 per cent to the decoy woman, and 20 per cent to the person who escort the woman.

The circular was sent to PCPNDT directors in all districts, Nodal officers at CMHO, and SDOs in every district to ensure implementation of Informer system and there after the decoy woman move, he said.
Decoy woman should have pregnancy of about 14 to 22 weeks, she should be escorted by her relative, and cops in plain clothes to the private hospital or clinic, quoting the guidelines of circular he said.

Decoy woman should also be given an Insurance plan for the baby who is in the womb, asking the concerned officials he said.
Videography and photography be conducted at the spot as a documentary evidences so that any action be ensured against erring clinics or private hospitals, he said, adding after the successful operation, an FIR be lodged against the clinic or hospital with the police.

The whole exercise was being done to improve the state from Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Mother Mortality Rate (MMR) which was still alarming, he said.