Now, even grandparents and grandchildren can donate organs

Earlier, as per the 1994 Act, near relative who could donate organs included spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister.

Now, 'near relative' also includes grandparents and grandchildren, an official from Health Department said. The cabinet also advocated appointing a counsellor to deal with various queries related to the organ transplants. A data bank should be maintained of the donors by the State Government, it said.

Also more fine or punishment would be awarded to the culprits for submitting false certificates and affidavits required to carry out the process, the official said. It also prohibits foreigners from directly taking organs from an Indian citizen. Permission needs to be taken from the committee concerned, it said.