The Union
Cabinet approved the two Medical Bills, Indian Medical Council (Amendment
Bill), 2019, and the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment Bill), 2019. Both
the bills had lapsed in the 16th
Lok Sabha session.
The Bills are to be reintroduced in the
upcoming Parliament
session.
Indian
Medical Council (Amendment Bill), 2019:
The Bill is aimed at bringing in accountability, transparency,
and quality in the governance of medical education in the
country. The bill will also provide for supersession of the Medical Council of India
(MCI) for a period of two years from August 26, 2018.
The Board of Governors shall exercise the powers
and functions of the MCI as assigned under the IMC Act, 1956. The Board of
Governors (BoG) members will be increased from existing 7 to 12.
Homoeopathy
Central Council (Amendment Bill), 2019:
The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment
Bill), 2019 is intended to extend the period for reconstitution of the Central Council from
an existing period of one
year to two years. Also, the tenure of the Board of
Governors will be extended for a further period of one year with effect from May 17, 2019.
Dentists
Act, 1948:
The Centre has also approved the introduction of
a Bill to amend the
Dentists Act, 1948. The Bill aimed to make the Dental
Council of India more effective. The Bill is expected to restructure the Dental
Councils. Also, the representation of Central government members and elected
members would no longer be made mandatory in the Dental Councils.
