Lok Sabha Question No. 2422 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-09
Subject: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PRATIMA MONDAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2422

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2018

## BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO

## 2422.   SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state

- (a) whether  the  district  authorities  are  effectively  monitoring  the  use  of  sex  determination tools by families and doctors and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether stringent legal actions are being taken against those using them under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme (BBBPS); and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) to  (c):  Beti  Bachao  Beti  Padhao  Scheme  (BBBP)  was      launched  by  Hon'ble  Prime Minister  on  22nd  January,  2015,    addresses  the  declining  Child  Sex  Ratio  (CSR)  and related  issues  of  women  empowerment.  It  is  a  tri-ministerial  initiative  of  Ministry  of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).  As a Partner Ministry, MoHFW has been playing major role for ensuring effective implementation of PC&PNDT Act to curb  and  arrest  the  discriminatory  practice  of  gender  -  biased  sex  selection  (pre-birth discrimination) which not only artificially skews the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) but also impacts the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) in the long run.

The  financial  assistance  has  been  provided  to  the  district  administrations  under BBBP Scheme  to  supplement  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare's  efforts  to strengthen  the  implementation  of  PC&PNDT  Act  in  the  161  selected  districts  under BBBP.  The MoHFW has taken/initiated the following actions and measures

- (i) A  National  Capacity  Building  Programme  for  State  Appropriate Authorities and State Nodal Officer was organized in 2017.
- (ii) A  comprehensive  Standard  Operating Guidelines (SOGs)  for District Appropriate Authority has been prepared under PC&PNDT Act.
- (iii) Inspections by the National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) have been regularly conducted across the country.
- (iv) Constitution  of  a  Nodal  Agency  to  regulate  and  remove  the  eadvertisements  on  internet  relating  to  preconception  and  prenatal determination of sex or sex selection prohibited under PC&PNDT Act.
- (v) A two day orientation and sensitization of judiciary was organized by National Judicial Academy (NJA) in 2017.  NJA also conducted special session under PC&PNDT Act in two orientation programmes for High Court Judges in 2017-2018.

As  per  Quarterly  Progress  Reports  (QPRs)  December'  2017  submitted  by States/UTs,  59836  diagnostic  facilities  including  Genetic  Counseling  Centre'  Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinic, Ultrasound and Imaging Centre have been registered under the PC& PNDT Act.   So far, a total of 2007 machines have been sealed and seized for violations of the law. A total of 3986 (2713 pending & 1273 disposed off) court cases have been filed by the District Appropriate Authorities under the Act and 449 convictions have so far been secured. Following conviction, the medical licenses of 118 doctors have been suspended/ cancelled.

********