Par panel rejects bill on health education standards

“The Committee recommends that the Ministry may withdraw this Bill and bring forward a fresh Bill…,” the report submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari here yesterday said.

The Committee supported the stand of the state governments that the legislation does not give representation to states.

“…the composition of the Commission gives no

representation to the states. The Committee agrees with the viewpoint put forth by the state representatives that the states play a vital role in delivery of health care and

medical education. States are well versed with existing medical education capacity and know their future requirements better,” the report said asking the government to keep the interests of the states in mind while redrafting the bill.

It said several stakeholders have raised “serious

apprehensions” on various provisions of the Bill and

effectiveness of various bodies that are proposed to be

established under the Bill.

“Some stakeholders favoured strengthening of the existing Councils rather than overarching body as proposed in the Bill.

The Committee notes the concern expressed by the

Councils…The Committee feels that these apprehensions need to be appropriately addressed by the Government in the Bill,” said the report.

The Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on December 22 last year and referred to the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare shortly afterwards.

“In view of the apprehensions expressed by various

stakeholders,the Committee felt that the Bill in the present

form cannot be recommended,” the report said.