Prez Ram Nath Kovind approves a clearing nod to set up committee to run Medical Council of India

New Delhi, September 27: With India running close to create a healthy and affordable medical facility provider, the central government on Wednesday took major cabinet decisions hailing people welfare. Giving his approval, President Ram Nath Kovind signed an ordinance to set up a committee to run the Medical Council of India till a bill which seeks to replace the body with a new commission is passed by Parliament.

 

Briefing the media about the cabinet decisions, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the ordinance was cleared by the Union Cabinet this morning and the President has now given his ascent. He further added that since the term of the elected body of the MCI is ending shortly, a need was felt to run it by a committee of eminent persons to run its affairs.

Arun Jaitley informed that professionals of great eminence will be part of the committee. The Board of Governors who would run MCI include Niti Aayog member Dr V K Paul, AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria and Nikhil Tandon.

The National Medical Commission is expected to replace the Medical Council of India as the top medical education regulator in the country. In March, the Cabinet made amendments to the National Medical Commission Bill after considering recommendations made by a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

The bill proposes setting up four autonomous boards to oversee undergraduate and post-graduate courses, assess and accredit medical institutes and register practitioners under the National Medical Commission. It also proposes a common entrance exam and licentiate exams that all medical graduates will have to clear for practicing licences.