In what it could be good news to the childless parents the Parliamentary panel has recommended some key changes to the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2019. With the new changes, not just "close relatives" any woman who is willing will be allowed to be a surrogate mother.
The Bhupender Yadav led Rajya Sabha select committee after reviewing the proposed legislation has said that the old rule which states that women who want to act as a surrogate mother should be a close relative of the family should be scraped as the restriction is acting as a possible obstacle for the surrogate mothers who are willing to act so and thereafter affecting the persons who are in need.
The panel even went to say that changes should be made to allow a single woman, such as a widow, a divorcee, or a person of Indian origin (PIO) to be a surrogate mother.
"The sublime and divine instinct of motherhood could not be allowed to be turned into mechanical paid service of pro-creation devoid of divine warmth and affection," the panel said.
"The practice of surrogacy in the country definitely needs administration and direction for it to be undertaken with proper guidelines and to eliminate the exploitation that the surrogate mothers have to go through. The close relative clause of the Bill would only add to the miseries of a childless couple as no woman shall carry a baby for nine months without remuneration," the panel added.
The panel also suggested that the insurance cover for the surrogate mother which is 16 months now should be increased to 36 months. The Rajya Sabha has referred the bill to the select committee on 21 November 2019.
The Bhupender Yadav led Rajya Sabha select committee after reviewing the proposed legislation has said that the old rule which states that women who want to act as a surrogate mother should be a close relative of the family should be scraped as the restriction is acting as a possible obstacle for the surrogate mothers who are willing to act so and thereafter affecting the persons who are in need.
The panel even went to say that changes should be made to allow a single woman, such as a widow, a divorcee, or a person of Indian origin (PIO) to be a surrogate mother.
"The sublime and divine instinct of motherhood could not be allowed to be turned into mechanical paid service of pro-creation devoid of divine warmth and affection," the panel said.
"The practice of surrogacy in the country definitely needs administration and direction for it to be undertaken with proper guidelines and to eliminate the exploitation that the surrogate mothers have to go through. The close relative clause of the Bill would only add to the miseries of a childless couple as no woman shall carry a baby for nine months without remuneration," the panel added.
The panel also suggested that the insurance cover for the surrogate mother which is 16 months now should be increased to 36 months. The Rajya Sabha has referred the bill to the select committee on 21 November 2019.