Some provisions of surrogacy bill are non-negotiable: Govt

Facing criticism over its draft surrogacy bill, the government today said it is open to incorporating suggestions but insisted that some of its key provisions, including putting a stop to abandonment of children and exploitation of women, are "non-negotiable".
Union Health Minister J P Nadda also dismissed criticism that government was trying to impose moral values on citizens, saying it is about "righteousness" and the technological advancements in this area have to be used in the "right perspective".
"This (bill) is an attempt to stop commercial surrogacy. It has been approved by the Cabinet. It will now go to the Parliamentary Standing Committee. Interactions will take place and suggestions will come to the government. We will take note of them. Then it will go to the Parliament.

"Discussions will take place there. So open to idea is in the sense...This is the direction we have taken. It is our responsibility to save the mothers by stopping exploitation. To take it to its ultimate end, whatever good idea or suggestions will come, we are open to it," Nadda told reporters.
The Union Cabinet recently gave its nod to the introduction of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 in Parliament, which seeks a complete ban on commercial surrogacy and allowing only legally-wedded Indian couples to opt for children through it.
"Non-negotiable is exploitation of women should not happen, abandonment of children should not take place," Nadda said. The proposed bill also proposes a bar on unmarried couples, single parents, live-in partners and homosexuals from opting for surrogacy.

"It's not a question of imposing moral values, its a question of righteousness. Technological advancement has to be used in the right perspective.

"Proven exploitation (of women) has been there, children have been abandoned and there was no regulation. We have tried to come out in that direction," Nadda said when asked whether the government is trying to impose moral values.
(REOPENS DEL46)
Nadda said approval by the Cabinet is the first stage and the government has shown its intention to see to it that commercial surrogacy does not take place while it has also tried to give alternatives to it so that the needy can take advantage of this scientific advancement.

"Basic objective is commercial surrogacy should stop. What are the alternatives to that, we have tried to give it. There should be no exploitation of women and abandonment of children should stop.
"This is the central focus. For this, whatever good suggestions will come, they are okay," he said, adding that the bill is a "progressive" step.
The bill has a provision for a jail term upto ten year and a fine of Rs 10 lakhs for violations, such as abandoning the child and opting for commercial surrogacy.
With the surrogacy bill approved by the Cabinet, officials indicated that the Assisted Reproductive Technology bill (ART) bill may also be soon taken up as it is in the final stages. IVF, sperm and ovam banks may also be included in it, officials said.

On how the IVF clinics will be monitored, Nadda said the bill has the provision of establishing a national surrogacy as well as state board apart from having an appropriate authority which will monitor the compliance of all the provisions and anybody can complain to the board.
Nadda also dismissed criticism that in certain cases physically challenged children are discriminated against when parents opt for another child through surrogacy and said physically challenged children will get all their rights.
Nadda said providing compensation to mothers in case of emergencies is also a good suggestion and the government is open to the idea.

Asked how the government reached the conclusion that the Indian couple have to be married for five years to be eligible to opt for surrogacy, Nadda said 5 years is a "reasonable" time for couples to be settled.
"We have kept a reasonable time for couples, both for them to settle and stabilise. Proven infertility also takes time," he said.
On why single people have not been allowed, the minister said that there have been cases where child has been abused and therefore having a strong family institution is very essential.
On being asked whether the definition of family for the government changes with each bill, he said adoption laws also also need changes and they will be taken up later but the definition of family does not differ.

(REOPENS DES57)
Nadda said that in Parliament, the question of stopping commercialisation of surrogacy came a lot of times and there were 11 assurances given in Parliament that the government will ban commercial surrogacy.
He said that 228th law commission report also said that there is a need to regulate surrogacy and the issue was echoing in all quarters.
"We held very wide consultations. There was even delay due to wide consultation process. 18 ministers, 22 states, 40 stakeholders responded while the NCW organised the consultation programme," he said.
He maintained that commercial surrogacy is banned by and large in most countries.

"Surrogate mothers were being exploited. Child was being abandoned and there was commercialisation of surrogacy. We tried to bring the bill by focussing on these three issues.
"Any surrogacy clinics will work according to this bill. Under the provisions, proven infertility certificate needs to be given by both mother and father mothers to become eligible for surrogacy," he said.