Even as the Government of Andhra Pradesh is yet to issue orders on its decision to make HIV/AIDS test compulsory for brides and grooms before marriage, the Gram Sabha of Havare village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, on Sunday, decided to make such tests compulsory before marriage.

“We do not want our future generation to be afflicted with the deadly HIV virus. So as a precautionary measure, all the families in the village have agreed to carry out the requisite HIV test,” village sarpanch, Popat Pawar said.

As per a resolution passed by the Gram Sabha, any outsider interested in having marital relationship in the village will have to undergo the Elisa test. The rule was also applicable to boys and girls from the village. The villagers have also decided to stop sex exploitation and trafficking of children and women in the village, Pawar said.

Meanwhile the decision of the AP government to make HIV/AIDS tests compulsory before marriage has come under a flak. Doctors and legal experts are doubtful about the feasibility of such a move. According to some doctors, there are very few such testing centers in the state. The result of one Elisa test done elsewhere could not be always relied upon, they argue. The legal experts doubt the full cooperation of the families in implementing the order. Some unscrupulous doctors also may make it as a racket by issuing bogus certificates.