The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday has approved moving of official amendments in the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 proposes to regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and, State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in the States and Union Territories.

The proposed legislation ensures effective regulation of surrogacy, prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian infertile couples. Once the Bill is enacted by the Parliament, the National Surrogacy Board will be constituted. The States and Union Territories shall constitute the State Surrogacy Board and State Appropriate Authorities within three months of the notification by the Central Government.

Government believes that the impact of the Bill will control the unethical practices in surrogacy, to regulate the surrogacy services in the country, will prevent commercialization of surrogacy and prohibit potential exploitation of surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy. The Bill will also see that commercial surrogacy will be prohibited, including sale and purchase of human embryo and gametes. The rights of surrogate mother and children born out of surrogacy will also be protected. The Bill will also benefit all infertile Indian married couples, who want to avail ethical surrogacy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 22, 2018 09:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).