Illegal sex determination: Informers to get cash reward in three installments

 At a time when the declining child sex ratio is a major concern for all, the Odisha government has decided to provide cash reward to the persons who will help the administration bust units engaged in illegal or pre-natal sex determination.

A cash reward of Rs 25,000 will be provided to such informants in three installments under the Informer’s Incentive Scheme for effective implementation of the provisions of PC & PNDT Act.1994. Moreover, the identity and other aspects of the informant will not be disclosed at any given point of time.

It is pertinent to mention here that there 894 female children for every 1000 males in Odisha, and the decline in the child sex ratio has now emerged as a concern.

Health and Family Welfare Director, Bijay Panigrahi informed that an informant will be entitled to get Rs 10,000 after the information shared by him/her about any illegal sex determination or unregistered ultrasound units is found to be correct following an inquiry by the appropriate team of the concerned district administration/officials.

After investigation, filing of prosecution report and charge frame, the second installment of Rs 10,000 will be released and if the accused is convicted, the informant will get the remaining Rs 5,000 under the scheme.

It is pertinent to mention here that a sex determination racket busted in Berhampur in the month of May. At least 12 persons were arrested in this conection.