Union Cabinet gives momentum to reforms in medical education

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Indian 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, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar told media here.

The move will ensure transparency, accountability and quality in the governance of medical education in the country. The New Bill provides for supersession of MCI for a period of two years with effect from September 26, 2018. During this period, the Board of Governors shall exercise the powers and functions of MCI as assigned under the IMC Act, 1956. The number of members in the Board of Governors will be increased from existing seven to 12.

Further, the Union Cabinet has approved the draft Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill seeks to extend the period for reconstitution of the Central Council from existing period of one year to two years so that the tenure of the Board of Governors may be extended for a further period of one year with effect from May 17, 2019.

This will help the Central Council of Homoeopathy in exercising the powers and performing the functions of the Council, a statement read. This Bill will replace the Homoeopathy central council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 and extend the tenure of Government for another one year.

Moreover, the Union Cabinet has approved the introduction of a Bill to amend the Dentists Act, 1948 (16 of 1948) in order to make the Dental Council of India more effective The decision also gives effect, with certain modifications, to the provisions of the Dentists Act, 1948 with regard to the membership of the Dental Council of India and membership of State and Joint State Dental Councils.

The amendment will help restructure the Dental Councils and the representation of Central Government members and elected members would no longer be made mandatory in the Dental Councils. In the process it will reduce the redundancy. This Bill will also be introduced in the upcoming session of Parliament.

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