India, Sept. 25 -- In a bid to improve the sex ratio in Maharashtra and prevent female foeticide, state health minister Prakash Abitkar on Tuesday issued orders to strictly implement the Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act 1994, officials said. Abitkar issued orders during a state-level supervisory board meeting. He instructed that district-level supervisory committees be formed within a month, and that these committees conduct regular workshops to ensure effective enforcement of the law. The minister emphasised that preventing illegal sex determination and promoting gender equality must become a collective responsibility.

"Improving the birth ratio of girls and strengthening the gender balance requires seriou...