Strike called off but radiologists rally in Mumbai over 'misuse' of PCPNDT Act
The Maharashtra State Branch of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (MSBIRIA) had first called a state-wide indefinite strike on June 14. While it was called off in the rest of the state, it continued in Pune.
A day after calling off their state-wide strike, radiologists went ahead with their rally in Azad Maidan over the 'misuse' of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. They alleged that government officials are harassing innocent doctors using the Act rather than focussing on finding those breaking the law.
"The ones who are actually maintaining the records are being targeted. There needs to be proper guidelines and government officials must follow a standard operating procedure," said radiologist Jignesh Thakker, who is the national coordinator for the Act.
The Maharashtra State Branch of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (MSBIRIA) had first called a state-wide indefinite strike on June 14. While it was called off in the rest of the state, it continued in Pune.
Radiologists across the state again went on strike on Monday, ending it only after an assurance from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis that a high-level committee would probe the allegations on Tuesday evening.
The trigger for the strike was the sealing of machines of Pune-based radiologist Ashutosh Jape in the middle of the night in April by an assisant medical officer of the Pune Municipal Corporation, Dr Vaishali Jadhav.
"That was a case of harassment. There was no show-cause notice given and investigations too were not carried out for 48 hours," said Thakker.
Radiologists maintained that while they are willing to cooperate with officials, but the Act must be uniformly implemented. They have also demanded an inquiry against Jadhav.
About the Act (1994)
The Act was amended in 2003 to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection. The amendment has provided provision for stricter punishments against doctors breaking the law — authorities have been given the right to seize and seal machines and equipment of violators.