Over 79 illegal scan centres have been sealed in Tamil Nadu following the implementation of PNDT Act, 1995 in the state. According to the sources in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, these 79 centres were found to be performing amniocentesis and did not maintain registers of scans being done. Department officials however refused to mention whether all the scan centres in the state were looked into from which these 79 illegal scan centres were scrutinized and sealed.
Of the 79 scan centres 36 were in the southern districts of the state found performing amniocentesis. In Chennai over 16 scan centres were sealed. Almost all of them failed to maintain register of scans done and related details. They were also found to be not keeping records of purchase of equipment from dealers and companies.
There are more than 1500 scan centres in the state, most of them located in southern districts which have reported increased female infanticide. The Tamil Nadu government had mandated every scan centre to register with the Department of Health and Family Welfare.