Mechanism to punish culprits of female foeticide

New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) Taking serious note of the declining sex ratio, particularly in Punjab, the government is constituting the National Support and Monitoring Cell to help authorities apprehend those committing or abetting female foeticide.

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss also told the Lok Sabha today that 383 police cases, including 37 against communication of sex of the foetus, were registered and 33 ultrasound machines seized till February 27 this year.

District magistrates have been requested to regularly review the implementation of the Preconception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act along with other programmes in the district.

X X X INSAT: The government proposes to launch INSAT 4-C onboard GSLV-FO2 by mid-2006.

INSAT 4-C will provide 12 Ku band transponders to be used for direct-to-home and VSAT operations, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said.

X X X DRUG ADVERTISEMENTS: The ambit of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 will be enlarged to cover the advertisements offering treatment in respect of certain diseases or to alter certain functions of human body.

The purpose is to exercise control over advirtisements for certain medical conditions by medical practitoners, Minister of State for Health Panabaka Lakshmi said.

UNI YJ JN HT1507