approved by the Union Cabinet

concept of family

not be allowed surrogacy

NEW DELHI: The government may make changes to Understanding the Surrogacy Bill on Wednesday, to provide maternity benefits and compensation to surrogate mothers, but is firm on its decision to bar homosexuals and singles from going in for a child through this process."We do not recognise gay couples," health minister JP Nadda said. Emphasising the "", he said the institution of family is important for a child and therefore singles willEven for married couples, the bill insists on five years of marriage before allowing the intending couple to commission surrogacy. The bill also bars foreigners and live-in couples from having a baby through surrogacy.Setting aside concerns related to lack of enough provisions to provide maternity benefits and various gaps in the bill leaving room for uncertainty in certain situations, Nadda said the government is open to suggestions and feedback and is ready to make changes in the spirit of the surrogacy bill."There are three main objectives of the bill - to regulate exploitation of surrogate mothers, abandonment of child and commercialisation. This is the direction we have taken and to take the bill to the ultimate end, we are open to discussing and evaluating whatever ideas and suggestions are coming," Nadda said.A single man or woman keen on having a child can opt for adoption, he said. Even for married couples, the bill insists on five years of marriage before allowing the intending couple to commission surrogacy.Nadda also said the government will ensure the provision of "close relatives" is defined in a way that it takes care of modern nuclear families where there may not be an immediate sister or sister-in-law. "This bill has got the basic framework of what we accept and what we do not. Under this, opting for a family friend does not come. We will deliberate while framing rules, how far we can go (on widening the ambit)," the minister said. Sources suggested the provision may be defined to expand the purview to even include first and second cousins.However, he ruled out inclusion of homosexuals or singles for surrogacy. Nadda said, discussions and deliberations show "a child needs a family" and therefore, singles cannot be allowed surrogacy. On homosexuality, he reiterated India does not recognise gay couples.Nadda also dismissed criticism that the government is 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". Amidst contentions that the government suddenly come up with the bill, Nadda clarified there were wide consultations with all stakeholders. He said the bill is a "progressive" step towards regulating exploitation of women. Commercial surrogacy is banned in most parts of the world. This is one of the reasons that of late India had become the hub for surrogacy - 80% of them commissioned by foreigners.