Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019
Polity-Issues relating to Health & Education, Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance
Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has approved theIndian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to replace the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance, 2019 through an Act of Parliament. The Bill will be introduced in the ensuing session of the Parliament. The move will ensure transparency, accountability and quality in the governance of medical education in the country.
Background:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had come across certain arbitrary action by MCI in disregard to the provisions of the IMC Act, 1956 and regulations made thereunder. Further, the Oversight Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Supreme Court to oversee the functioning of MCI had also cited instances of non-compliance of their instructions and subsequently, all members of the Oversight Committee tendered their resignation.
In view of these developments, and to put an alternative mechanism in place of MCI so as to bring transparency, accountability and quality in the governance of medical education in the country, it was decided to supersede the MCI through the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 promulgated in October 2018 and entrust its affairs to a Board of Governors (BoG) consisting of eminent doctors. The BoG was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. V.K. Paul, Member NITI Aayog and comprising six other members.
Key Highlights of the bill
- The Indian Medical Council (Amendment Bill), 2019, is aimed at bringing in transparency, accountability and quality in the governance of medical education in the country.
- It provides for supersession of the Medical Council of India (MCI) for a period of two years from September 26, 2018.
- During this period, the Board of Governors shall exercise the powers and functions of the MCI as assigned under the IMC Act, 1956.
- The number of members in the Board of Governors will be increased from existing 7 to 12.
