Parliament in 1994 passed the law, which came into force Feb 4, 1995, in the states of Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra and all the union territories. Thereafter, it was adopted by all states except the states of Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir which have their own laws to regulate transplantation of human organs.

The main purpose of the Act is to regulate the removal, storage and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and to prevent commercial dealings in human organs, the minister said.

'Despite having put into place a regulatory mechanism for transplantation of human organs, there have been a spate of reports in the print and electronic media about a thriving human organ trade in India and the consequential exploitation of economically weaker sections of the society,' Soni elaborated.

'There has, therefore, been an increasing perception in civil society that while the act has not been effective in curbing commercial transactions in organ transplant, it has thwarted genuine cases due to the complicated and long drawn process involving organ donation,' she added.

Talking about the foreign and non-resident Indians (NRI) who come to India for transplantation, Azad said earlier they used to get hold of any one and said that he or she was a family member.

'But after amendment, a committee will be set up to verify whether he or she is really a family member or not.'