Female Foeticide Persists in Karnataka: Rao

Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday acknowledged that female foeticide continues to persist in the state and said the government is intensifying enforcement measures to curb the practice. He announced that separate nodal officers would be appointed in every district to strengthen monitoring and implementation.

Responding to a question raised by BJP MLC C T Ravi in the Legislative Council, Rao described female foeticide as a “social evil” and admitted that the problem has not been eradicated. Pointing to skewed sex ratio figures, he said the data clearly indicates that the practice is still prevalent in parts of the state.

“Female foeticides have certainly not stopped. If you look at the sex ratio, there is a significant difference. I accept that this is happening,” the minister told the House.

Rao said the issue is largely driven by a societal preference against girl children rather than coercion. He noted that illegal sex determination of foetuses continues to take place in certain hospitals, despite being prohibited by law. With advancements in technology, he said, portable ultrasound machines have made it easier to conduct illegal scans discreetly.

“Sex determination is illegal, but portable ultrasound machines can be carried anywhere and misused. This needs to be controlled, and we will also bring this issue to the notice of the central government,” he said.

The minister revealed that intelligence inputs from some districts and hospitals have shown unusually high registrations of male births, raising red flags. Authorities are closely tracking taluks where the male-female ratio is worsening and identifying hospitals involved in suspicious practices.

“Information is being collected on where the imbalance is increasing and what is happening in specific hospitals. After proper evaluation, action is being taken to crack down on such networks,” Rao said.

He added that decoy operations have been conducted at seven locations over the past two years to expose illegal activities linked to female foeticide. Disciplinary and legal action has been taken against officials and hospitals found involved, though he stressed that stronger and faster action is still required.

When asked whether the government plans to introduce stricter laws, Rao said the possibility of strengthening existing legislation is under consideration. He pointed out that misuse of advanced technology, the internet, and easy availability of abortion-related medicines pose serious challenges.

“Some amendments have already been made in the past two years, but we need to examine further legal measures. Oral abortion medicines are available over the counter, which is a concern,” he said, adding that the Food and Drug Administration has instructed pharmacists to maintain records of such drug sales.

Rao also said the government is focusing on the effective implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC & PNDT) Act and increasing public awareness to discourage sex determination and female foeticide across the state.