34,790 cases of abortions in 2015-16: Govt

MUMBAI: The state government on Thursday informed the Assembly that 34,790 cases of abortion were reported in Mumbai in the financial year 2015-16.

MUMBAI: The state government on Thursday informed the Assembly that 34,790 cases of abortion were reported in Mumbai in the financial year 2015-16.

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About 5% or 6,826 of the abortions were done by those in the age group of 19 to 24 years. In a written reply submitted in the state Assembly, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that eight pregnant women died during the abortion procedure. Five of them were between the age of 19 and 25 years.

Ashish Shelar of the BJP raised the question on the number of abortions that took place in the city and if the girls in the age group of 19-25 were highest among them. He also asked the government about the steps being taken to check if the abortions were done after sex determination tests to abort the unwanted girl child.

Fadnavis stated that the government was implementing the Pre-Conception and PreNatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act since 2001. “The cells appointed to implement the law pay surprise visits to the abortion and sonography centres. The quality assurance committees and medical health officers have been appointed for the implementation of the act, “he said.

The house was also informed that 30 judicial cases have been filed for the violation of the PCPNDT Act. The government stated that various corporation wards conduct sex education for teenage girls in the city.