LS okays amendments to organ transplantation Bill

“We have not only increased the monetary penalty for contravention of the provisions of this Act, but also proposed to enhance the punishment from five to 10 years of imprisonment for persons involved in illegal commercial dealings,” Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha.

“For commercial dealings in human organs, the Bill also seeks to enhance the monetary penalty from Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 to a range of Rs 20 lakh-Rs 1 crore,” Azad said.

The Bill, which was introduced in Parliament in 2009 was referred to the standing committee that made suggestions on 43 points. Azad announced that the Bill has incorporated all suggestions from the committee.