Date:09/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/09/stories/2008020960521500.htm

National

Take a fresh look at organ transplantation Act: Congress

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday asked the Centre to “take a fresh look” at the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 so that exploitation of the poor people is stopped, as was witnessed in the recent kidney racket.

“The Act needs greater teeth. The government has to ensure that the implementation of the law is rigid and more dynamic so that accused are severely penalised. Presently, the quantum of punishment is laughable, as a guilty can be jailed for a maximum term of two to five years and fined Rs.10,000. This is by no means a deterrent,” Congress spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan.