Government to decide ‘silent observer’s’ fate on September 8

The state supervisory board for the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Tests (PCPNDT) Act is scheduled to meet in Mumbai on September 8 to decide the use of the successful ‘silent observer’ project across the state. 

The board is responsible for supervision of the implementation of the PCPNDT Act and curb sex determination. The decision to meet follows the recent judgement by the Bombay high court (HC) granting permission for the use of the ‘silent observer’ in
Kolhapur district. 

Maharashtra health minister Suresh Shetty told DNA on Wednesday that all issues related to the ‘silent observer’ had to be considered. Other effective ways also had to be examined.

“There is a monopoly of a single company in the manufacturing of ‘silent observers’, which is why the price is high. Also, its feasibility needs to be checked. We will discuss this at the meeting of the board,” Shetty said.