A Bill that envisages constitution of four autonomous boards to conduct undergraduate and post-graduate medical education was introduced on Friday in the Lok Sabha. It would replace the apex medical education regulator — Medical Council of India (MCI) — with a new body.
Congress members protested the introduction of the National Medical Commission Bill by Health Minister JP Nadda, demanding that it be sent to the parliamentary standing committee for a thorough scrutiny. But Nadda said the bill incorporates suggestions made by a standing committee.
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said members should give prior notice to air their disagreement with the bill’s introduction.
The bill aims at bringing reforms in the medical education sector which has been under scrutiny for corruption and unethical practices.
The bill provides for the constitution of four autonomous boards entrusted with conducting undergraduate and post- graduate education, assessment and accreditation of medical institutions and registration of practitioners under the National Medical Commission.
The bill states that the commission will have Government nominated chairman and members, and the board members will be selected by a search committee under the Cabinet Secretary. There will be five elected and 12 ex-officio members in the panel.
It also proposes a common entrance exam and licentiate exams which all medical graduates will have to clear to get practicing licences, the official said.