PC&PNDT Act Prohibiting Sex Selection Not Suspended, Clarifies Govt

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on Thursday clarified that the PC& PNDT (Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act 1994 has not been been suspended. The Act prohibits sex selection before or after conception.

The official statement was released in response to speculation in a section of the media regarding the same.

In view of the ongoing lockdown, due of COVID19 pandemic, the Health Ministry has issued a notification dated April 4, 2020 to defer/suspend certain provisions under the PC&PNDT Rules 1996. These Rules pertain to applying for renewal of registration falling due in this period, submission of reports by diagnostics centres by the fifth day of the following month and submission of quarterly progress report (QPR) by the States/UTs.

The Ministry reiterated that each Ultrasound clinic, Genetic Counselling centre, Genetic Laboratory, Genetic Clinic and Imaging Centre would have to maintain all the mandatory records on a day to day basis, as prescribed under the law. It is only the submission deadlines to respective Appropriate Authorities, which have been extended till June 30, 2020. There is no exemption (to the diagnostic centres) from compliance to the provisions of the PC&PNDT Act.