Ranchi: The district carried out the maximum inspections of ultrasound centres in the state under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, conducting 54 checks in the first quarter of 2026-27, health department data showed.The inspections carried out between April and June were more than double the 21 conducted in Ranchi district during the entire previous financial year, indicating intensified monitoring of diagnostic facilities to curb illegal sex determination.Across Jharkhand’s 24 districts, 236 inspections were conducted during the quarter. The drive led to the suspension of licences of two ultrasound centres — one each in Ranchi and Bokaro — for alleged violations of the Act. In Giridih, one centre was sealed and a court case initiated against another.A meeting of the Ranchi district PCPNDT advisory committee, headed by DC Manjunath Bhajantri, approved registration of 13 new ultrasound centres and renewal of licences for 3 existing ones on Saturday.On June 24, the Ranchi administration sealed an ultrasound centre allegedly operating without a valid licence in Kantatoli area. The centre was being run by a city-based doctor, officials said. On June 7, three persons were arrested for allegedly operating an ultrasound centre for sex determination in Pandra area.The enforcement drive, however, remained uneven. Godda, Latehar, Hazaribag, Pakur and Seraikela-Kharsawan reported no inspections during the quarter despite having a significant number of ultrasound centres, according to the department’s data.Rafat Farzana, state coordinator for the PCPNDT Act, said the department had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards violations and directed all districts to carry out regular inspections. “Some districts are doing well, while others are lagging. Inspection drives will be strengthened in those districts too,” she told TOI.In 2025-26, 718 inspections were conducted across the state and licences of 30 ultrasound centres were suspended. Bokaro accounted for the highest number of actions, with 17 licences cancelled. Dhanbad followed with three, while Deoghar, East Singhbhum, Godda and Hazaribag recorded two each.
