PC-PNDT Act to stop illegal sex determination cannot be diluted

New Delhi, April 10: Weakening the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act, 1994, implemented to put a check on illegal sex determination, will encourage sex-determination tests, experts said on Tuesday.

The Act, which was brought by the government to put a check on illegal sex determination and is currently facing crisis, should continue, said the members of the PC-PNDT Act Committee. They claimed diluting the act will further encourage sex -determination.

During an event here, the members said the Indian Medical Association (IMA), which is not in support of enacting the act, has been recently assured by the Health Ministry that the law will be diluted.

A recent report by NITI Aayog revealed the sex ratios at birth (SRB) is substantially lower in 17 of 21 states, with less that 950 females per 1,000 males.