Indian Medical Council Amendment Bill Passed in Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha on Tuesday, July 2, passed the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The bill seeks to bring necessary changes to the functioning of MCI (Medical Council of India) that regulates medical institutions and practice in the country.
New Delhi, July 2: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday, July 2, passed the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The bill seeks to bring necessary changes to the functioning of MCI (Medical Council of India) that regulates medical institutions and practice in the country. The bill was introduced by Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on June 27 to replace the ordinance which was promulgated on February 21. President Ram Nath Kovind Approves Ordinance to Supersede Medical Council of India.
The Indian Medical Council or the Medical Council of India (MCI) was set up under the Medical Council Act 1956, for setting criteria for medical professionals, new medical colleges and revision of curriculum, among others. National Doctors' Day 2019: History And Significance of The Day That Honours the Medical Profession.
Participating in the debate on the bill, Indian National Congress (INC) leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury opposed the ordinance route taken by the Government to replace the Indian Medical Council saying it was unhealthy for democracy. Chowdhury said the Ordinance was promulgated two times by the government despite elections being around the corner. "MCI had become a scam-tainted authority," he said.
Introducing the Bill, Harsh Vardhan said that in the last two decades, a perception was built that MCI has been unsuccessful in discharging its duties and that corrupt practices are prevalent in the regulatory body. The minister also said the government proposes to bring the National Medical Commission Bill in the near future after getting it cleared from the Cabinet.
"Although the National Medical Commission Bill could be introduced in near future but to have legal continuity every Ordinance has to be converted into a law," he stressed.
The Cabinet on 12 June had approved the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which provides for supersession of the MCI for a period of 2 years with effect from September 26, 2018, during which the board of governors will run it. The move aims to ensure transparency, accountability and quality in the governance of medical education in the country.
(With PTI inputs)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 02, 2019 07:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).