Poonch: District level Advisory Committee on PC & PNDT Act discusses enforcement measures 

• DC seeks strict action against violators 

POONCH: Deputy Commissioner, Vikas Kundal today chaired a meeting of the District Advisory Committee (DAC) and Supervisor Monitoring Clinical Establishment on Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC&PNDT) Act 2024. Threadbare discussions were held on registration & renewal of ultrasound centres and implementation of PC&PNDT Act, holding of IEC activities for general awareness etc.

The DC, who is also the Chairman District Advisory Committee, directed the committee to spread awareness among the ASHA workers, Health workers and people regarding the Act through workshops, awareness camps and other promotional activities. The meeting was informed that a total of 17 Ultrasound Centres were registered in the district out of which 13 centres were functional, while 4 are under the process of registration.

Seeking close check on the illegal practice of pre-natal sex determination, the DDC directed the Health Department to conduct regular inspections of the ultrasound clinics and check the CCTV recordings of the ultrasound clinics to identify and penalize the defaulters. "Conduct surprise visits in centres with Ultrasound facilities and ensure coordination with district administration so that the act is implemented in its true spirit," said the DC.

The DC asked the committee to take necessary action in case of complaints filed against diagnostic centres for non-compliance of the Act and cancel the registrations with due public notice for general awareness that may desist people from visiting these centres.

The meeting was attended by ADC Poonch, Tahir Mustafa Malik, CMO Poonch; Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, MS DH Poonch Dr Nusrat Un Nisa; District Information Officer; Chetan Sharma, DSWO; Wakeel Ahmad Bhatt, members of the committee besides members from NGOs and civil societies of the District.