Govt proposes changes in law governing MCI


With corruption charges hitting the Medical Council of India, the government plans to take over powers to remove its president and other office bearers if they are found involved in offences of "moral turpitude". 

The government is proposing changes in the law governing the MCI through Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2013 which is under consideration of the Health Ministry. 

Through a new clause, the proposed bill also makes mandatory renewal of enrolment of doctors every 10 years in the registers maintained by the body or state councils. 

Once the bill becomes an Act, doctors who have been enrolled with Indian Medical Register or the State Medical Register for 10 years will have to apply for renewal within a year. 

The Council, which was hit by allegations of corruption a few years ago, was replaced by a board of governors to regulate its functioning. 

The bill also proposes to restrict the number of terms to two a person can remain president or vice-president. As per the initial draft, the term of the council has also been reduced to four years from the present five years. 

A new clause has been inserted to give the Centre powers to remove president, vice-president or member on grounds of being declared insolvent, being physically and mentally incapable and being declared by a court of having an 'unsound' mind. 

The other grounds for removal include conviction in an offence which, in the opinion of the central government, involves "moral turpitude". 

A person having acquired such financial or other interests which could prejudice his or her function can also be removed from the post. 

The president, the vice-president or a member of the MCI can also be removed if the Centre thinks that he or she has abused the position which renders his or her continuance in office "detrimental to overall public interest". 

Being found guilty of "proved misbehaviour" can also lead to removal, the bill proposes. But at the same time, a person cannot be removed from the post without being given "reasonable opportunity" of being heard in the matter. 

The Medical Council of India was first established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933. The Council was later reconstituted under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 that replaced the earlier Act. 

Popular posts from this blog

PG Doctors of India must work not more than 48 Hr/week: SC

Image
As per the directives of the Honourable Supreme Court in its judgment dated,25.9.87, in writ petition No. 348-352 of 1985, all the State Governments, Medical Institutions and Universities are required to amend their rules and regulations to introduce a uniform residency scheme by 1993 “A uniform practice has to be evolved so that the discipline would be introduced. We accordingly allow the present arrangement to continue for a period of five yearsI.e. upto 1992 inclusive. For admission beginning from 1993 there would be only onepattern. All Universities and institutions shall take timely steps to bring about such amendments as may be necessary to bring statutes, regulations, and rules obtaining in their respective institutions in accord with this direction before the end of 1991 so that there may be no scope for raising of any dispute in regard to the matter.The uniform pattern has to be implemented for 1993. It is proper that one uniform system is brought into vogue throughout
Read more

Why DNB exam tougher than MS/MD exam?

Image
Guest article by Dr Kalyan R Kone   There were 6 people (accompanied by their relatives) sitting in the small waiting room outside the ward waiting for their call inside. They looked battered, tense and had such a depressed look in their eyes that even Shylock would have sympathized with them. They had cleared their DNB (Diplomate of National Board) theory exam and were making last minute preparations for their practical exam. If I were not told that they were all Doctors, I would have thought that they were all waiting for their turn to see a psychiatrist. Dr Kalyan R Kone Five out of six of those waiting doctors were appearing for the second or third time. In spite of that, they didn’t know what would be in store for them except one thing — only one or two would pass out of the six candidates. I thought for a moment that it was a good ploy by the NBE (National Board of Examination) to generate funds – after all, where would these poor guys go except appe
Read more