With a view to putting a check and bring transparency in the use of surrogacy, the Government has recently introduced Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 in the Lok Sabha, which stands referred to the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

As per clause (iii) b (II) of Section 4 contained in chapter 3 of the proposed Bill, no person other than a close relative of the intending couple shall act as a surrogate mother for altruistic purpose.

A letter No V.25011/119/2015-HR dated 04.11.2015, has been issued to all States/Union Territories with copy to the Ministry of External Affairs which, inter-alia, stipulates that no VISA should be issued by the Indian Missions/Posts to foreign nationals intending to visit India for commissioning Surrogacy.

The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Smt Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here today.