Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday decided to strengthen enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC-PNDT) Act by intensifying inspections of ultrasound clinics, strengthening district-level monitoring committees and expanding awareness campaigns to improve the state’s sex ratio at birth.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the State Supervisory Board under the PC-PNDT Act, chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling at the National Health Mission conference hall in Bhubaneswar.
Chairing the meeting, Mahaling stressed the need for focused interventions in districts reporting poor sex ratio indicators. He said district-level committees would be strengthened, ultrasound clinics would be subjected to stricter inspection and monitoring, and greater emphasis would be placed on public awareness to improve the state’s sex ratio at birth.
The Board observed that effective implementation of the PC-PNDT Act requires strict enforcement of legal provisions, coordinated action across departments and active community participation. It also reviewed the state’s progress in leveraging technology to strengthen implementation of the law.
According to the Health Department, Odisha has introduced online registration and renewal of ultrasound facilities, online Form-F reporting, coordination with the Odisha Council of Medical Registration (OCMR) for verification of registered medical practitioners and authentication of ABHA-registered beneficiaries. These measures, the Board noted, have enhanced transparency, accountability and monitoring under the Act.
Reviewing enforcement measures taken between 2024 and 2026, the Board was informed that district authorities carried out 649 inspections while state authorities conducted 11 inspections. During the period, six illegal ultrasound clinics were sealed, six ultrasound machines were seized, FIRs were registered and disciplinary action was initiated against government doctors in complaint-related cases.
The Board directed authorities to further tighten inspections under the Act, initiate stringent legal action against those involved in illegal sex selection and intensify awareness programmes among medical colleges, healthcare providers and prospective parents to promote gender equality.
To encourage public participation, the government will continue offering an incentive of ₹25,000 under the informant incentive scheme to individuals providing information on unregistered ultrasound clinics, illegal sex selection or unlawful prenatal sex determination activities.
During the review of the sex ratio at birth (SRB), Jajpur emerged as the state’s best-performing district, while Nayagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Ganjam and Khordha were identified as the five lowest-performing districts. Officials of these districts have been directed to intensify monitoring, ensure 100 per cent verification of Form-F records and step up awareness campaigns to improve birth sex ratio indicators.
The meeting was attended by Brahmagiri MLA Upasana Mahapatra, Bangriposi MLA Sanjali Murmu, Health and Family Welfare Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Ashwati S., National Health Mission Managing Director Dr. Brunda D. and other members of the State Supervisory Board.
