Odisha Kidney sale: Opposition brings adjournment motion in Assembly

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, July 15:

Taking strong exception to several reported  instances of kidney sale in Odisha- the latest one having surfaced in the state capital itself- the Opposition Congress today moved an adjournment motion on the issue in the State Assembly.

Raising the issue, Congress member Taraprasad Bahinipati took a dig at the state government for its inaction and inability in busting the well-organised racket operating in the state.

To stop such unethical and illegal practices, he suggested that the state government consider opening a kidney bank in the state and simplify the rules for kidney transplantation.

In his reply, Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said his department has received a total of 596 applications for kidney transplantation since 2002 and while permission has been granted in 554 cases,  42 applications have been rejected.

He, however, admitted that the department has received one allegation while the police are investigating into the case.

The minister also made it clear that his department has no role  in the kidney transplantation conducted in the neighbouring states.

Rejecting the opposition’s claims, the minister said there has been no illegal kidney transplantation racket thriving in the state as alleged by the Congress members.

The minister said there was a eight-member Authorisation Committee headed by the director, medical education and training which verifies the applications for allowing kidney transplantation.

“We are taking steps to totally stop monetary deals between donors and recipients if any,” the minister said.

He also informed that the police have also arrested some people allegedly involved in the illegal kidney transplantation activities.