The Union Cabinet on January 29 gave nod to the amendment of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 1971 which is set to increase the upper gestation limit for termination of pregnancy from 20 to 24 weeks.
Crux of the Matter
After a detail discussion with various stakeholders, it was found that in the first 5 months there are cases where the girl doesn’t realize and has to go to court.
It will be for special categories of women that will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and will include ‘vulnerable women including survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (differently-abled and minors).
This amendment is expected to reduce maternal mortality.
The higher limit will not apply to cases of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by the Medical Board.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said, “The MTP (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is for expanding access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarian or social grounds. It will ensure a safe termination of pregnancies and also give women reproductive rights over their bodies.”
Curiopedia
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 provides the legal framework for making CAC services available in India. Termination of pregnancy is permitted for a broad range of conditions up to 24 weeks of gestation. Before 1971, abortion was criminalized under Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, describing it as intentionally ‘causing miscarriage’. The MTP Act specifies who can terminate a pregnancy; till when a pregnancy can be terminated; and where can a pregnancy be terminated. The MTP Rules and Regulations provide detail training and certification requirements for a provider and facility and provide reporting and documentation requirements for safe and legal termination of pregnancy. More Info
Curated Coverage
Comments