New Delhi
Govt Mulls Surrogacy Ban for NRIs, Foreigners
The government may impose a blanket ban on NRIs, Persons of Indian Origin and foreigners having children through surrogacy in India. The Ministry of Health and National Commission for Women on Thursday proposed the ban as part of a new piece of legislation. “The bill that stands today say only Indians will be allowed, and not those of Indian origin. The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that they will make changes in the bill and there is going to be a blanket ban on all foreign nationals and NRIs, Overseas Citizens of India or PIOs,” said Lalita Kumaramangalam, chief of the women’s panel. She said the Ministry of Health had decided to finalise the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill by November 15. The ministry has sought public opinion on the bill before it could be finalised. The bill was first drafted in 2010 and was revised in 2013. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to prohibit commercial surrogacy, which it observed was on the rise in the country despite having no legal sanctity. “Commercial surrogacy should not be allowed, but it is going on in the country. You are allowing the trading of human embryo. It is becoming a business and has evolved into surrogacy tourism,” the apex court said.
Pak Detains 24 Indian Fishers; 1 Hurt in firing
One fisherman from Gujarat was on Thursday injured in firing by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, which detained 30 fishermen and seized four boats near the international maritime boundary line off the state’s coast. The agency later released on humanitarian grounds the injured fisherman, Dhanji Bamaniya, and five others, who sailed back to Jakhau. The Coast Guard ship Rajratan received a distress call from a fishing boat about a firing incident on another trawler, Suryakiran, around noon. However, 24 fishermen are still in the agency’s captivity. “Though one boat and six fishermen were allowed to go, they have captured 24 of our fishermen and seized four of their boats and taken them to the Karachi port,” an official source said.
Kolkata
Coast Guard Commissions New Warship Anmol
The Coast Guard on Thursday commissioned a new warship, Anmol, to combat piracy, smuggling and terrorist activities in the Bay of Bengal. The warship was inducted into service by West Bengal Governor Kesari Nath Tripathi. Addressing the gathering at the Khidirpur dock here, Tripathi said, “The role of the Coast Guard is becoming crucial because of the recent strategic developments in China and adjacent countries.” Anmol, 13th in a series of 20 patrolling vehicles, is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 35 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles with an economical speed of 13 knots.
Chandigarh
Punjab Tense as Sikhs Protest Crackdown
A day after two Sikh agitators were killed in police firing in Kotkapura during protests over the alleged desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, several areas in Punjab observed a shutdown on Thursday as members of the community took to the streets protesting agains the police action. Sant Samaj leader Harnam Singh Dhuma said the bandh was called to put pressure on the state government to act. “Those responsible for the sacrilege of the scripture should be arrested immediately,” he said. An incident of firing by Sikh activists was reported at Jogewala village. Meanwhile, two more Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee members belonging to the SAD resigned in protest against the killings and the desecration of the holy book.