Patna: Bihar State Human Rights Commission on Thursday took suo motu cognizance of reports in different newspapers about cases of removal of uteruses purportedly under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY).
"They (the cases) do not appear to be sporadic incidents; rather they seem to have been done in a systematic manner as if they were the result of conspiracy and part of some racket. The reports refer to the districts of Saran, Sitamarhi, Samastipur, Jamui, Sasaram, Begusarai, Katihar, Saharsa, Supaul but the incidents apparently have taken place in whole state," Commission chairman Justice S N Jha said in his order.
As per the reports, that appeared over the past few days, in some cases money was paid to the beneficiaries without any surgery, while in others operations were performed by 'farzi doctors' (fake doctors).
Jha said in a large number of cases uteruses of young under-aged girls and women below the prescribed age were removed.
"Removal of uterus deprives a woman of the opportunity of being a mother and attaining complete womanhood. Right of procreation is a facet of right to life and therefore involves human right issues."
From the reports it appeared that the Centre has taken cognizance of the matter and ordered a probe, he said adding inquiries are also being made at the level of the district magistrates/civil surgeons concerned at the behest of the state government.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, August 30, 2012, 20:58