According to the new rules, private blood banks have been barred from organising blood donation camps to collect blood as they are yet to be recognised by the council, which has not met even once since it was set up about 18 months ago.

The Food and Drugs Administration of the Union Government had invited suggestions and objections in 1997 to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The amendment was published on April 5, 1999, and the new rules took effect from August 5. According to the amended rules, only blood banks in Government hospitals, the Indian Red Cross Society and recognised blood banks are allowed to collect blood.

Non-governmental organisations will, however, have to get themselvesrecognised from the Blood Transfusion Council of their respective State Governments. In the case of Maharashtra, the council is yet to finalise its list of recognised blood banks.

The new rules have thus unleashed a wave of panic among private blood banks, which say the the State Blood Transfusion Council should have at least accorded them recognition according to the need for blood district-wise before the act took effect. Private blood banks, which harvest about 70 per cent of this life sustaining fluid, are therefore confused over their current status and if the status quo continues, availability of blood will plummet.