Belagavi: Karnataka has registered eight cases related to female foeticide since the start of 2023-24, leading to the arrest of 46 individuals, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Saturday.
Responding to a starred question by MLC Jagadev Guttedar in the Legislative Council today Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that increased inspections of scanning centres and hospitals have led to the detection and reporting of more cases of female foeticide to the government.
To prevent female foeticide, the state government has established statutory committees under the PC & PNDT Act (Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act) at both the state and district levels. So far, 136 cases have been filed in court against scanning centres, owners, and doctors for violating the PC & PNDT Act. Of these, 74 cases have resulted in penalties and closure, while 65 cases are at various stages in court.
Rao said the government has also enhanced the reward for informants who provide information about female foeticide-related activities, increasing it from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. This is aimed at encouraging people to report scanning centres, hospitals, doctors, agents, or relatives involved in illegal activities.
Since 2018, all scanning centres in the state are required to register and update their details mandatorily through the "Baalika" online software. The registration of 100 percent of pregnant women is currently underway at the state level, and data on gender ratio at the time of birth is being monitored using information technology tools at the village level, the minister added.
A state task force under the chairmanship of the Commissioner has been formed to ensure effective implementation of the PC & PNDT Act. Secret operations have been conducted in Bengaluru Rural, Belagavi, Mandya, and Kolar districts, the minister stated.
Public awareness and sensitization programs are also being conducted across the state to prevent female foeticide and to educate the population, he added.
