Pune district’s sex ratio at birth has declined from 895 in 2025 to 882 between January 1 and October 25 this year, with the ratio in rural areas dropping to 844, prompting health officials to step up efforts to address gender bias and curb illegal sex determination.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act in rural Pune district, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas. The health of women sugarcane workers and pending court cases related to enforcement were also discussed. Officials also reviewed cases registered in Shirur, Uruli Kanchan and Daund, along with the action taken against the centres concerned. She called for legal and administrative support to ensure that officials can pursue cases without fear. She proposed a separate meeting with special public prosecutors to review pending cases and to discuss with the District Legal Services Authority measures to expedite their disposal. Gorhe directed health officials to ensure that women complete treatment after screening and receive regular antenatal check-ups and safe delivery services. She called for better coordination among health officials, sugar factory labour officers and mukadams who supervise migrant workers. Health records should also be sent to the relevant districts and hospitals on time.
Gorhe said prolonged trials often require officials who initiate enforcement action to attend court proceedings even after being transferred or retiring.
The district surgeon’s office separately submitted details of seven court cases. The PMC report showed 21 cases pending before magistrate courts, 11 before district and sessions courts, and seven before the high court. The Pune report recorded seven cases of uterus removal among sugarcane workers before March 2023, with the surgeries performed outside the district. No cases were recorded after March 2023.
