THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JULY 11, 2026
In a major crackdown
on alleged illegal sex-selection practices and unauthorised medical termination
of pregnancy (MTP) procedures, the Health & Family Welfare Department of
Odisha has sealed a registered ultrasound centre at Soro in Balasore district
after a surprise inspection uncovered prima facie violations of the
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act and
other statutory provisions.
The State Appropriate
Authority under the PC & PNDT Act, along with the District Appropriate
Authority, Balasore, conducted a suo motu inspection of the facility on July 9
and 10 following credible inputs regarding suspected violations. The inspection
was carried out by a joint team comprising district administrative and revenue
officials under the supervision of the District Appropriate Authority.
Officials secured the
premises during the inspection to prevent any tampering with records and
evidence before undertaking a detailed examination of statutory documents,
equipment and compliance records.
According to the
Health Department, the inspection revealed several prima facie irregularities,
including prolonged non-submission of mandatory Online Form F records, failure
to display the name, qualification and registration number of the attending
doctor in the ultrasound room, discrepancies in statutory documentation and
other violations requiring legal scrutiny. Verification of the State Online
Form F portal reportedly showed no records for the relevant reporting period.
The inspection team
also found material and equipment suggesting that medical termination of
pregnancy (MTP) procedures may have been carried out at the premises despite
the facility not being registered under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy
Act. Relevant documents, equipment and other material evidence have been
seized, while digital evidence collected during the inquiry is being examined
as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Health Department said proceedings under the PC & PNDT Act, the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and other applicable laws have been initiated. Statutory notices will be issued and further legal action will be taken after scrutiny of the seized records and completion of the investigation.
Reiterating its commitment to curb sex selection and eliminate female foeticide, the Department said it would continue strict enforcement of the PC & PNDT Act across Odisha. It emphasised that the government follows a zero-tolerance policy against violations of laws aimed at protecting the girl child and ensuring ethical medical practice, and warned that stringent action would be taken against offenders in accordance with the law.
