[India] Blanket ban likely on NRIs, PIOs, foreigners having kids through surrogacy

NEW DELHI: A blanket ban may be imposed soon on NRIs, PIOs and foreigners having children through surrogacy in India with the Health Ministry and National Commission for Women today proposing it as part of a new legislation.

The Health Ministry, which had drafted a bill to deal with issues relating to surrogacy, has also agreed to suggestions by NCW to make legal provisions to allow single women including divorcees and widows to become surrogate mothers, besides setting up of a regulatory body.

At a national consultation on the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill, the NCW and Health Ministry were in agreement that there should be a blanket ban on NRIs, PIOs (Persons of Indian Origins) and foreign nationals to have children through surrogacy in India.

NCW Chairperson Lalita Kumaramangalam said Health Ministry has decided to finalise the bill on surrogacy-related issues by November 15.

The consultation was attended by officials from Home Ministry, Women and Child Development Ministry, National Human Rights Commission and representatives of various states besides NCW and Health Ministry. The bill was first drafted in 2010...