A state-level workshop on ‘Implementation of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act’ was organised at Punjab Health Systems Corporation headquarters in Phase VI, Mohali, on Tuesday. The workshop, attended by deputy commissioners, civil surgeons and medical officers, aimed at creating awareness of the decreasing sex ratio and curbing female foeticide.

Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, inaugurated the workshop. Addressing the participants, she emphasised that improving the sex ratio in the state was one of the top priorities of the state government.

Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), Punjab, A R Talwar added that initiatives like Balri Rakshak Yojna, awards for panchayats and strict enforcement of PNDT Act were being taken in Punjab to check the declining sex ratio.

V K Goyal, State Nodal Officer, PNDT, said there were 1,347 registered ultra-sound centres in Punjab, of which registration of 311 centres had been suspended and cancelled from time to time under Section 20 of the PNDT Act for committing various violations. FIRs had been lodged against 103 centres and 14 centres had been held guilty by courts for PNDT Act violations so far, he added.

MINISTER FURIOUS
Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, pulled up the authorities when one of the mobile health clinics did not start when she boarded the vehicle.