PUNE: The helpline started to help prevent female foeticide has received 42 complaints and tip offs about illegal sex-determination tests and sex selective abortion being carried out by doctors in Maharashtra.
Inaugurated by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on July 12, the helpline (toll free number 18002334475) aims at encouraging people to come forward and register complaints either on their name or anonymously.
"We received 42 complaints from 16 districts since July 12. But 11 of them have not been attended to by the appropriate authorities. We have sent them reminders about submitting their report within the stipulated time frame. We are awaiting their response," said a state health official.
Beed, which has registered lowest child sex ratio in the state, tops the list with 10 complaints. "Of them, five have been attended to by the authority and reports have been submitted. There is no communication about the remaining complaints," the official said. After Beed, Jalgaon follows with six complaints. Among them one complaint remained unattended by the concerned officials.
The helpline received one complaint each from Mumbai, Nashik, Sangli, Thane, Latur, Hingoli, Osmanabad and Buldhana.
The officials received two complaints about illegal use of sonography machines by doctors practising in Pune. One caller registered a complaint on July 12, saying that sonography centres in Wakad, Aundh and Baner have not been inspected by the PMC's appropriate authority. The other complaint said that a person working at a government hospital in Mukundnagar was involved in private practice.
"Both the complaints were immediately forward to the PMC's appropriate authority. The officials attended to both complaints and submitted their report," officials of the helpline said.
The helpline received one complaint from Pimpri-Chinchwad saying that medical representatives were hand in glove with doctors in Pimpri Chinchwad while conducting sex determination tests.
"The PCMC officials also attended to the complaints and submitted the report," officials said.
The number of unattended complaints are: Pune rural 1, Jalgaon 1, Satara 2, Nanded 1, Beed 5, and Latur 1.
"We don't disclose the identity of the informer. We request people to come forward and inform us about such illegal activities and contribute towards betterment of the society," said officials of the helpline located at the family welfare bureau near RTO office, Sangam bridge.
eom/umesh
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Helpline-gets-42-complaints-about-sex-determination-tests/articleshow/9891686.cms
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