Maneka's prenatal test remark draws sharp criticism from DCW

New Delhi, Feb 2: Union Minister Maneka Gandhi's reported suggestion for making prenatal sex determination compulsory to check female foeticide has drawn sharp criticism from DCW chief Swati Maliwal, who said the "dangerous" move will threaten the birth rate of girl child.

Maliwal posted a series of tweets to protest against the move which will "increase female foeticide phenomenally."

"Disagree strongly with Maneka jis idea of making sex determination compulsory. It wil increase female foeticide phenomenally.

"Instead of working towards properly implementing the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act, implementing this idea will undermine the act. Very dangerous, should not be done," Maliwal tweeted.

In another tweet she said, "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao - If the idea is implemented, 'Beti' existence will be significantly threatened.

Sex determination shoud not be made legal." The minister's suggestion that prenatal sex determination test be made compulsory to check female foeticide evoked sharp reaction from activists and netizens.

Speaking yesterday at an event in Jaipur, Gandhi had said, "In my personal view, the woman should be compulsorily told whether it is a boy or girl child whom she is going to give birth to. I am just putting out this idea. It is being discussed though there is no conclusion yet."

The Women and Child Development Ministry today clarified that there was no formal proposal for prenatal sex determination and the idea is at the discussion stage.

"Minister WCD clarifies that there is no Cabinet proposal for tracking the sex of a foetus and that compulsory determination of foetal sex is an idea given by some stakeholders," WCD ministry said on twitter.

PTI