Turning down the health ministry's decision to conduct a sonography course for MBBS doctors, Delhi High Court ruled that the ministry does not have the power to device a new qualification that is not approved by the Medical Council of India (MCI).In order the tackle the increasing demand of qualified persons for performing ultrasonography, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had planned to start a six month long crash course for MBBS doctors. The ministry had issued a gazette notification in 2014 amending the Pre Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act to allow a six month training programme in ultrasonography. The course titled 'The Fundamentals in Abdomino - Pelvic Ultra Sonography Level one for MBBS Doctors' was said to be designed for clocking 300 hours and equipping MBBS doctors to conduct ultra sonography.The Delhi HC, however, said that that Section 2(p) of the PNDT Act defining a Sonologist or Imaging Specialist, is bad to the extent it includes persons possessing a postgraduate qualification in ultrasonography or imaging techniques – because there is no such qualification recognised by MCI. The PNDT Act does not empower the statutory bodies constituted there under or the Central Government to devise and coin a new qualification, the court added.Practicing radiologists feel that only properly qualified doctors should be allowed to conduct ultrasonography. “By properly qualified, we mean that only doctors who have a two year diploma or degree should be allowed,” said Jignesh Thakker, general secretary of the Indian Radiological and Imaging Association (IRIA). Another radiologist who did not wish to be named said that such short cut courses are not justified. “It is unfair on the doctors who get diplomas and degrees,” he said.