The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 that prohibits commercial surrogacy and allows altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian infertile couples was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Elaborating about the Bill, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said, "This bill protects the dignity of women, economic exploitation and also the interest of the surrogate children who are abandoned."
"The bill allows altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian infertile couples and it prohibits commercial surrogacy," he added.
The Bill, which ensures effective regulation of surrogacy, permits surrogacy only for couples who cannot conceive. According to the clause mentioned in the Bill, the surrogate mother must be a 'close relative' of the intending couple. Moreover, both the intending couple and the surrogate mother are obliged to take eligibility certificates from the appropriate authority.
The Bill also provides for the constitution of a National Surrogacy Board, State Surrogacy Boards and appointment of appropriate authorities for regulation of the practice and process of surrogacy.
The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on November 21, 2016 and was then referred to a parliamentary standing committee on January 12, 2017.
(Featured image : Yahoo India News)
