Maharashtra government is now planning to take strict action against illegal IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and sonography centers operating without permission and preparations are now being made to bring it under the ambit of MCOCA. State Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar told the Assembly that to crack down on such illegally running centres, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed, which will conduct a campaign in the entire state, investigate such illegal centers and also conduct raids.
This announcement was made by the state government in response to a question raised by Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi. Minister Abitkar said that complaints of fraud and financial exploitation of patients are continuously coming to light through these illegally running centres. In view of such problems, the government is also seriously considering the possibility of bringing such cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA).
Preparation to bring legal provisions in the next session
Minister Prakash Abitkar said that the government aims to prepare necessary legal provisions by the next assembly session, so that more strict action can be ensured against such illegal center operators.
According to the government, in the last few years the number of IVF and sonography centers has increased in Maharashtra without adequate permission and regulation. The objective of the proposed SIT is to identify such centres, investigate their operations, stop illegal activities and effectively protect the interests of patients.
Illegally built IVF and sonography centers are becoming a big problem not only in Maharashtra but in many other states. It has also become a major source of income in the state. Due to illegally running centres, a large number of people become victims of fraud.
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