NMC Bill 2017 Reaches the Parliamentary Standing Committee

The much-debated NMC (National Medical Commission) Bill 2017, that will replace MCI with a new regulator, was forwarded to Parliamentary Standing Committee on January 2, 2018. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Anant Kumar revealed that the Bill was referred to Standing Committee in Lok Sabha.

He requested the Chair to ask the panel to give its suggestions regarding the NMC Bill 2017 before the beginning of Budget Session 2018. According to NMC Bill 2017, the government will nominate the Chairman and members of National Medical Commission.

Also Read: - IMA Condemns the National Medical Commission Bill 2017

Recently, the NMC Bill 2017 also proposed the introduction of Exit Exam for practising Ayurveda. Similarly, the Bill sought to launch a ‘Bridge Course’ that will allow Homeopathy doctors to practice Allopathy. The Bill also proposed the joint sitting of Central Council of Indian Medicine, Central Council of Homeopathy and National Medical Commission once a year. During the joint sitting, it is the responsibility of the members of all the councils to decide the specifics of ‘Bridge Course’.

Also Read: - Exit Exam Mandatory to Practise Ayurveda: Draft Bill

In December 2017, the Union Cabinet cleared the way for NMC Bill 2017. According to NMC Bill 2017, the exit or licentiate exam will be introduced within three years after the approval of Bill by the Parliament of India. NMC will have the authority to conduct annual and surprise inspections of medical colleges across the country. The government has proposed NMC with a motive to ensure transparency in medical education and put an end to all forms of corruption prevailing in the medical education across the country.