ORDER

1. Several States have filed affidavits setting out the steps taken by them to regulate sterilisation procedures with regard to the male and female g patients in their respective States. However, it is apparent that there is no uniformity with regard to the procedures nor the norms followed for ensuring that the guidelines laid down by the Union of India in this regard are being followed. Taking the best of what is being followed by some States, we direct that the States shall:

(1) Introduce a system of having an approved panel of doctors and limiting the persons entitled to carry on sterilisation procedures in the State to those doctors whose names appear on the panel. The panel may be prepared either on a Statewise, district wise or regionwise basis. The criteria for including the names of the doctors on such panel must be laid down by the Union of India as indicated subsequently. Until the Union of c India lays down uniform qualification criterion for the empanelment of doctors, for the time being no doctor without gynaecological training for at least 5 years' post-degree experience should be permitted to carry out the sterilisation programmes.

(2) The State Government shall