Maharashtra to form task force to regulate IVF and sonography centres
During the Monsoon session of the Maharashtra State Assembly, State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced that the government will establish a Special Task Force (STF) to regulate IVF and sonography centres across the state. The decision comes in the wake of recently exposed illegal rackets in Badlapur and Pune, with the government also considering classifying illegal sex determination and unauthorized IVF practices under organised crime laws.
The STF will be tasked with identifying, investigating, and regulating both sonography and IVF centres. Minister Abitkar stated that a dedicated law to address these issues will be introduced by the next session of the State Assembly.
The announcement was made in response to concerns raised by Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi. Mr. Azmi highlighted a recent illegal IVF racket in Badlapur, where vulnerable women were allegedly paid between Rs 18,000 and Rs 25,000 to sell their eggs to a clinic. He also demanded a comprehensive report on the statewide crackdown conducted on sonography and IVF centres between April 16 and May 15.
In addition to the Badlapur racket, the state has recently seen other cases of illegal practices. In Pune, a case emerged where a 12-year-old person allegedly used a portable device to perform illegal sex determination on foetuses, which subsequently led to abortions.
To address these rising violations, the state is looking to tighten its regulatory framework. According to data from the State Health department, Maharashtra has filed 625 court cases against individuals and institutions for violating the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act over a 25-year period from 2001 to 2025. Of these cases, 462 have been disposed of, leading to 127 convictions and 332 acquittals.
Currently, the PCPNDT Act empowers District Appropriate Authorities, such as the District Civil Surgeon, to register and inspect fertility clinics and IVF centres. The Act strictly prohibits any sex selection procedures during Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Furthermore, the ART (Regulation) Act of 2021 mandates that all IVF clinics register with the National Registry of ART Clinics and Banks under the Indian Council of Medical Research. Maharashtra also requires registration under the Clinical Establishments Act.
With the formation of the new STF, the government aims to strengthen the enforcement of these existing laws and curb unauthorized medical operations.
