Nod for Bill to ban commercial surrogacy

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday enhanced the compensation to the civilian victims of terrorist/ extremist attack or communal violence from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh. The move is to distribute the compensation uniformly.

A release from the Centre said, for the first time civilian victims of cross border firing along the Indo-Pak border will be given a compensation of ₹5 lakh similar to those who die due to terrorism or Left Wing Extremism.

“The amount will be given to the next of kin of the victim. ₹5 lakh will also be given to those who receive 50 per cent or more disability or incapacitation due to the same reasons,” the release added.

During the Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir in 2014, the issue of financial assistance to the people killed in cross border firing was raised.

In an effort to put an end to commercial surrogacy, the Union Cabinet has cleared a Bill to regulate surrogate pregnancy.

Announcing the decision, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, once passed, the legislation will ban commercial surrogacy and regulate altruistic surrogacy.

Swaraj, also the chairperson of an empowered group of ministers, said altruistic surrogacy will be clearly defined in the new Bill.

Swaraj added that couples in a live-in or in a same sex relationship will not be given permission for surrogacy. “Wombs of poor women are being bought even by celebrities who have one or two children. This is unethical,’ she said.

She said the new law will bring the 2,000-odd surrogacy clinics under its purview. The law will allow only legally married Indian couple to have children through altruistic surrogacy.

The Cabinet also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Myanmar in the field of traditional systems of medicine.

“The MoU will provide structured frame work for cooperation between the two countries for promotion of AYUSH/Traditional Systems of Medicine in Myanmar. It will boost the importance of AYUSH systems of medicine and conservation, production and standardisation,” the Centre said.

The Cabinet approved another MoU with South Africa to provide a mechanism and help in creating an ecosystem that will promote inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level in both countries. The particular focus will be on indigenous knowledge systems and agriculture biotechnology.

In another decision, the Cabinet approved for leasing out of 4,050 square metres of Airports Authority of India land to Assam Industrial Development Corporation for setting up of Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) and for its future expansion at Guwahati airport.

The Cabinet has given its approval for signing of new Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Fiji to improve the air traffic between the two countries.

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