LS: Bill approved for strict action for illegal organ trade

New Delhi, Aug 13: The Lok Sabha on Friday, Aug 12 sanctioned an amended bill in order to provide tight and stringent punishment of up to 10 years" imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for illegal human organ and tissue transplantation.

Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad moved the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Bill for consideration and for passing it with some amendments to make the punishment tougher for violators of the Act. Azad said the amended legislation brings in stringent measures to check illegal trade of human organs and stop exploitation of the poor people. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in 2009.

“The Act is to regulate removal, storage and transplantation of human organs and tissues. It will also help those hundreds and thousands of people awaiting transplantation of their organs and provide them a fresh lease of life," the minister said.

The bill makes it clear that human organs or tissues of mentally challenged, mentally retarded and mentally ill persons shall not be removed before their death. Stringent measures like jail term of five years which may be extendable to 10 years and fine of Rs 20 lakh extendable to Rs 1 crore for those indulging in illegal human transplantation are included in the bill.

OneIndia News