Assembly adopts resolution on Human Organs Transplant Act

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly today adopted a resolution for implementation of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 which was amended by the Parliament in 2011.

“The Amendment Act can be made applicable in the state of Odisha with the assembly adopting this resolution,” health and family welfare minister Atanu S nayak said after the assembly passed the resolution.

Stating that the application of the amended act in the state would create a transparent atmosphere in transplantation of human organs for general public, the minister said the stringent penal provision in the modified act will help in prevention of illegal dealings in human organ transplantation.

Under the new provision under the section 18 of the Act, the person who transplant the organs or tissues without authority would be liable for imprisonment of 10 years an penalty of Rs 20 lakh. Earlier the punishment was maximum up to five years jail and penalty of Rs 10,000, the minister said.

An advisory committee would be there to verify the legality of the organ or tissue donation besides having storage facility for organs and tissues, he said and added that section 18, 19 and 20 of the act will deal with punishment for different offences for illegal organ or tissue transplantation.