Udaipur / Jaipur, August 26: The Rajasthan government has suspended nine registration certificates linked to the ART clinic, ART bank and surrogacy clinic operated by Neelkanth Fertility and Women Care Hospital Private Limited, citing alleged violations of regulations governing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and surrogacy services.
The registrations have been suspended with immediate effect until further orders.
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar said the state government was committed to ensuring strict compliance with prescribed standards and legal provisions in healthcare services. He said the action against the hospital was based on preliminary evidence of alleged violations related to the regulation of ART and surrogacy services.
Action under ART Regulation Act
Rajasthan Medical and Health Department Principal Secretary Gayatri Rathore said the action was initiated in view of alleged violations of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021.
According to Rathore, an advertisement published in the Jaipur edition of an English newspaper featured an image of a blue-coloured embryo. The department viewed the advertisement as potentially promoting sex-selection services, as blue is commonly associated with boys.
Sex selection and sex-based ART procedures are prohibited under the law.
Registrations suspended across six cities
The nine suspended registrations relate to ART and surrogacy facilities operated by the hospital in Jaipur, Bhilwara, Udaipur, Kota, Jodhpur and Ajmer.
The action includes Level-1 and Level-2 ART clinic registrations in Bhilwara, Kota, Udaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur. In Jaipur, registrations of two Level-2 ART clinics, one surrogacy clinic and one ART bank have also been suspended.
The Medical and Health Department reiterated that ART and surrogacy services in Rajasthan must be operated strictly in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and ethical standards.
The department said it would not tolerate the promotion of prohibited practices, including sex selection, whether directly or indirectly.
The state government also reiterated its commitment to taking strict action against institutions found violating legal provisions, with the objective of ensuring safe, transparent and quality reproductive healthcare services across ART and surrogacy facilities.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.