India, May 14 -- At least two officials present in STF's review meeting, that ACS (health) Sudhir Rajpal chaired, said that cases have come to the fore wherein even after registering their pregnancy the women underwent abortions. The ACS (Health) directed to take disciplinary action against underperforming front line health workers and convened another high-level review meeting (via video conference) on May 14 with all deputy commissioners (DCs) of the state. The agenda, laid out in a letter issued by the director general health services, includes a crackdown on BAMS/BHMS doctors-particularly women practitioners-allegedly conducting illegal abortions. Meanwhile, civil surgeons across the state were directed to prepare a list of all BAMS/BHMS doctors engaged in private practice. Among other key issues to be discussed in the meeting on Wednesday include, tracking of pregnant women with daughters, while all pregnant women who already have one or more daughters will be assigned ASHAs or AWWs, termed as "SAHELI," to counsel and monitor them. The civil surgeons will maintain a detailed list of such women and their assigned SAHELIs. Another issue on the agenda is audit of late-term abortions under which data of abortions beyond 12 weeks will be compiled and probed thoroughly. "All civil surgeons should have data of abortion of more than 12 weeks pregnancies and all such abortions to be investigated thoroughly by concerned civil surgeons," reads the May 13 letter director health services (PNDT), directing to take disciplinary action against underperforming front line health workers, including medical officers. The strongly worded directive underscores the seriousness of the state's intent to clamp down on gender-biased sex selection and plug loopholes in abortion-related health care practices. Officials say that civil surgeons and deputy commissioners have been directed to attend this meeting without fail, as this meeting could set the stage for another round of intensified surveillance and punitive action in the coming weeks....