This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6266641.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tsunami victims 'selling kidneys' Tsunami victims 'selling kidneys'
(about 4 hours later)
The government in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has launched an investigation into reports of the sale of kidneys by poor fishermen. The government in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu has launched an enquiry into reports of the sale of kidneys by the families of poor fishermen.
Local newspapers say that a number of poor fishermen in the state have been forced to sell their kidneys because of financial pressures. Local newspapers say that a number of fishermens' wives in the state have been forced to sell their kidneys because of financial pressures.
Those selling their kidneys are believed to have been displaced by the tsunami of December 2004.Those selling their kidneys are believed to have been displaced by the tsunami of December 2004.
Kidney sales are prohibited in India, but donations by relatives are allowed.Kidney sales are prohibited in India, but donations by relatives are allowed.
Deep distressDeep distress
While analysts say that the rehabilitation of tsunami survivors has generally been satisfactory in Tamil Nadu, for some the pace has been relatively slow.While analysts say that the rehabilitation of tsunami survivors has generally been satisfactory in Tamil Nadu, for some the pace has been relatively slow.
Displaced fishermen have been put up in temporary camps which in places are some distance from the sea.Displaced fishermen have been put up in temporary camps which in places are some distance from the sea.
Much of Tamil Nadu's fishing fleet was destroyed in the tsunamiMuch of Tamil Nadu's fishing fleet was destroyed in the tsunami
That adds to their transportation costs and means they have less time in their vessels.That adds to their transportation costs and means they have less time in their vessels.
The construction of permanent houses closer to the coast line is way behind the schedule earlier announced by the government.The construction of permanent houses closer to the coast line is way behind the schedule earlier announced by the government.
In some families, where the men folk have suffered permanent injuries from the tsunami, women are forced to bear the brunt of running the household. Many of these families say they are now in deep distress.In some families, where the men folk have suffered permanent injuries from the tsunami, women are forced to bear the brunt of running the household. Many of these families say they are now in deep distress.
It is such people who are resorting to selling their kidneys. Now the women in these families are resorting to selling their kidneys.
A few have already done so, and others say they intend to follow suit.A few have already done so, and others say they intend to follow suit.
Fishermen living in a temporary camp near Madras told the BBC they had no other way of offsetting a financial crisis. Fishermens' families living in a temporary camp near Madras told the BBC they had no other way of offsetting a financial crisis.
LuredLured
Aid groups working in the area say at least 50 people may have sold away their kidneys so far, and many more are waiting in the queue.Aid groups working in the area say at least 50 people may have sold away their kidneys so far, and many more are waiting in the queue.
The District Magistrate in Madras, R Jaya, told the BBC's Tamil service that the trend was disturbing, particularly when the government had gone all out to provide relief to all tsunami survivors.The District Magistrate in Madras, R Jaya, told the BBC's Tamil service that the trend was disturbing, particularly when the government had gone all out to provide relief to all tsunami survivors.
She said the government was collecting the details of all such illegal kidney sales.She said the government was collecting the details of all such illegal kidney sales.
She said new initiatives targeting tsunami-stricken families were now on the cards.She said new initiatives targeting tsunami-stricken families were now on the cards.
Kidney sales by poor people have been reported in the past, but this is the first time that tsunami survivors are reported to have been lured into the trade.Kidney sales by poor people have been reported in the past, but this is the first time that tsunami survivors are reported to have been lured into the trade.
A human kidney can fetch a price of 100,000 Indian rupees (around $2,200), but sellers get only 50% of that money - intermediaries are believed to walk away with the rest.A human kidney can fetch a price of 100,000 Indian rupees (around $2,200), but sellers get only 50% of that money - intermediaries are believed to walk away with the rest.
Although doctors say some people can lead a relatively normal life with just a single kidney, it is an area fraught with medical complications.Although doctors say some people can lead a relatively normal life with just a single kidney, it is an area fraught with medical complications.