Explainer: Doctors call SMO suspension arbitrary, Get subsequent FIR filed against health worker, TV channel
The suspension of the Hisar SMO and Nodal Officer of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act by the state government has created a stir as the Haryana Civil medical Services (HCMS) Association is upset with the action, terming it arbitrary. The suspension has come after a reporter’s sting operation by a news channel claimed about illegal sex determination and female foeticide in Hisar. After a complaint was submitted by Anil Ahuja, Assistant SMO and Nodal Officer for PC-PNDT in Hisar, now, the Hisar police have booked a woman health worker and also the news channel terming the news report without facts.
What were the reasons behind the suspension of Dr Prabhu Dayal, the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) and Nodal Officer under the PNDT Act in Hisar?
Though no reason was mentioned in the letter of suspension of Dr Prabhu Dayal issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Sudhir Rajpal on April 9. The official notification stated that Dr Dayal would remain under suspension and be stationed at the office of the Civil Surgeon in Bhiwani during this period. He would be entitled to receive subsistence allowance in accordance with Rule 83 of the Haryana Civil Services (General) Rules, 2016. It is believed that the action followed a sting operation by a private news channel, which claimed to have uncovered an alleged racket in Haryana where certain persons were found running illegal clinics involved in gender determination and female foeticide. Though there has been no official confirmation or denial from the Haryana Health Department to link the suspension to the sting operation.
Why did the suspension of Dr Prabhu Dayal provoke reaction from the HCMS Association, leading government doctors in Hisar to observe a two-hour strike?
The suspension of Dr Dayal sparked reaction from the Haryana Civil Medical Services (HCMS) Association because it was viewed as arbitrary, sudden, without following the due process and without any preliminary inquiry or explanation. The HCMS Association argued that Dr Dayal had a record of sincere service and had even been recognised by the government for his work. They expressed concern that suspending an officer without allowing him a chance to respond not only demoralised the medical fraternity but also set a dangerous precedent. In protest, the government doctors in Hisar observed a two-hour strike on Saturday, demanding transparency, fairness and proper inquiry before such actions were taken against medical professionals. The strike was a show of solidarity and a call for protecting the dignity and rights of government doctors working under challenging conditions, they said.
What is the HCMS Association’s argument against the suspension of Dr Prabhu Dayal?
Taking exception to the suspension, the HCMS Association highlighted Dr Dayal’s dedicated service and recognised contributions to implementing the PCPNDT Act. The HCMS Association called for immediate revocation of the suspension to ensure a motivated workforce, warning of intensifying protests if the action was not reconsidered.
Why have the police now registered a case and who has been named in the FIR?
An FIR has been filed against Usha Devi, an outreach health worker in Hisar, for allegedly violating the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 and also the news channel, which aired news reportedly on the basis of a sting operation. The complaint, submitted by Anil Ahuja, Assistant SMO and Nodal Officer for PC -PNDT in Hisar, is based on the news of a TV channel on April 9, 2025 alleging that part of a news by the TV channel on Haryana’s declining sex ratio, showed Usha Devi facilitating illegal sex determination tests for pregnant women. The sting operation revealed that she allegedly arranged these tests and provided abortion services if the foetus was female. Usha Devi was also shown referring patients to Kurukshetra for further procedures and demanding Rs 1 lakh for sex determination. The FIR accuses her of violating Sections 4(4), 6(c), 23, and 25 of the PCPNDT Act, which prohibit sex determination and pre-natal sex selection.
What is the sex ratio of Haryana?
The 2024 data indicates Haryana has recorded its lowest sex ratio at birth (SRB) of 910 which is the lowest since 2017 when it stood at 914 girls per 1,000 boys. After fluctuating over the years — 914 (2018), 923 (2019), 922 (2020), 914 (2021), 913 (2022), and 914 (2023) — the state registered an SRB of 910 by the end of 2024. This despite the fact that the Central flagship programme, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP), was launched in Panipat nearly 10 years ago.
Haryana Tribune