India, June 30 -- The State Blood Transfusion Council (SBTC) has directed blood banks across the state to avoid collecting blood beyond its average annual requirement based on the last three years. In a circular issued on Saturday, the SBTC, which has 417 blood banks across the state, has called for streamlining procedures and strict adherence to documentation.

The instructions have come after investigations revealed that most blood collected from drives at reputed public hospitals was transferred to private blood banks and even neighbouring states at inflated costs.

"Blood is not a commercial commodity; it is collected only from volunteer donors," said an official. "Also, since it has a shelf life of just 35 days, any excess collection...