Updated 22.09.20: The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind has given his assent to the instant bill.
Two bills, the National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2019; and The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019 were passed by the Lok Sabha for the availability of high-quality medical professionals for both, the Indian System of Medicine and for homeopathic treatment.
During this year’s Budget Session, both the Bills were passed by the Rajya Sabha on March 19, 2020.
Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha shall function for only 4 hours a day (due to the Pandemic) in this Monsoon Session. Thus, citing paucity of time, both the aforesaid bills were discussed and passed within half an hour.
Criticisms from the opposition, MP Shashi Tharoor was made that the government didn’t incorporate Standing Committee suggestions.
Recommendation of an Appellate Tribunal as proposed by the Committee to hear appeals from the decision of the two Commissions. However, all appeals will lie before the Central government as per the government Bill.
Pratima Mondal representing TMC also opposed the Bill as it does not entail provisions for examination or training for existing teachers and that the Bill did not offer any transparency as members of the proposed National Commissions shall be nominated by the Central Government. Suggestions to keep members from various States were proposed by her.
Opposition spoke on non-inclusion of yoga and naturopathy.
Due to time constraints, Health Minister was not given an opportunity to respond to the concerns However, Minister of State for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik, expressed that the Bills had provisions for Joint Sittings of both the Commissions with the National Commission for Yoga and Naturopathy and National Medical Commission and assurance was given that for yoga and naturopathy, a separate bill will be brought.
The Bill before the President for his assent will now be presented.
ALSO READ- Ensure Free Medicines to Transgender-community: Kerala HC directs State
National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2019
This Bill emphasized to set up a National Commission for Homoeopathy and repeal the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973.
Commission Components
The Commission will consist of 20 members, including
(i) the Chairperson
(ii) the President of the Homoeopathy Education Board,
(iii) the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Homoeopathy,
(iv) the Director General, National Institute of Homoeopathy,
(v) Advisor or Joint Secretary in-charge of Homoeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, and
(vi) four members (part-time) to be elected by the registered homoeopathic medical practitioners from amongst themselves from the prescribed regional constituencies under the Bill.
The Central Government will appoint the non-elected members based on a recommendation made by a Search Committee of six members, including the Cabinet Secretary and three experts nominated by the central government (of which two will have experience in the homoeopathic field).
The Commission Functioning
The Commission as proposed will frame policies for regulating medical institutions and homoeopathic medical professionals, and assess the requirements of healthcare related human resources and infrastructure. Coordination among the autonomous boards and ensuring compliance of the regulations, made under the Bill, by the State Medical Councils of Homoeopathy is another such function.
Advisory Council for Homoeopathy
The Bill also proposes the constitution of an Advisory Council for Homoeopathy, by the central government. The Council will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the Commission. Further, the Council will advise the NCH on measures to determine and maintain minimum standards of medical education.
Entrance examinations
A National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test and a Post-Graduate National Entrance Test for admission to under-graduate and post-graduate courses of homoeopathy education in all medical institutions is proposed in the Bill.
A common final year National Exit Test for the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain the license for practice serving as the basis for admission into post-graduate courses at medical institutions is also a new step ahead.
National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill
The Bill emphasized on National Commission for Indian System of Medicine and seeks to repeal the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.
Commission Components
The Commission will consist of 29 members, including
(i) the Chairperson,
(ii) the President of the Board of Ayurveda,
(iii) the President of the Board of Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa,
(iv) the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Indian System of Medicine,
(v) Advisor or Joint Secretary in-charge of Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH, and
(vi) three members (part-time) to be elected by the registered medical practitioners of Ayurveda, and one member each by the respective registered medical practitioners of Siddha, Unani, and Sowa-Rigpa from amongst themselves from the prescribed regional constituencies under the Bill
The Central Government, based on a recommendation made by a Search Committee of five members, including the Cabinet Secretary and three experts nominated by the central government (of which two should have experience in any of the fields of Indian System of Medicine) can appoint the non-elected members.
Commission Functioning
The Commission will frame policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals of Indian System of Medicine, and assess the requirements of healthcare related human resources and infrastructure. It will also coordinate the autonomous boards set up under the Bill and ensure compliance of the regulations, made under the Bill, by the State Medical Councils of Indian System of Medicine.
Advisory Council for Indian System of Medicine
The Bill was also for the constitution of an Advisory Council for Indian System of Medicine, by the central government. The Council will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the Commission. Further, the Council will advise the NCISM on measures to determine and maintain minimum standards of medical education.
Entrance examinations
The Bill works to conduct a National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test and a Post-Graduate National Entrance Test for admission to under-graduate and post-graduate courses in each of the disciplines of the Indian System of Medicine education in all medical institutions regulated by the Bill.
A common final year National Exit Test for the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain the license for practice was also proposed.
