Section 35. Appointment of appropriate authority

The Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021

Chapter VI

Appropriate Authority

35. Appointment of appropriate authority.-

(1) The Central Government shall, within a period of ninety days from the date of commencement of this Act, by notification, appoint one or more appropriate authorities for each of the Union territories for the purposes of this Act and the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act.

(2) The State Government shall, within a period of ninety days from the date of commencement of this Act, by notification, appoint one or more appropriate authorities for the whole or any part of the State for the purposes of this Act and the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act.

(3) The appropriate authority, under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), shall,-

(a) when appointed for the whole of the State or the Union territory, consist of-

(i) an officer of or above the rank of the Joint Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department--Chairperson, ex officio;

(ii) an officer of or above the rank of the Joint Director of the Health and Family Welfare Department--Vice Chairperson, ex officio;

(iii) an eminent woman representing women's organisation--member;

(iv) an officer of Law Department of the State or the Union territory concerned not below the rank of a Deputy Secretary--member; and

(v) an eminent registered medical practitioner--member:

Provided that any vacancy occurring therein shall be filled within one month of the occurrence of such vacancy;

(b) when appointed for any part of the State or the Union territory, be officers of such other rank as the State Government or the Central Government, as the case may be, may deem fit.