Implement law on healthcare professions or face action: Supreme Court

Concerned over “proliferation of illegal allied healthcare educational institutions and bodies”, the Supreme Court on Monday cautioned the Centre, States and UTs of coercive action if they fail to implement the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021.

A three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said “though this court entertained the petition in September 2023, the fact remains that provisions of the Act have still not been implemented”. It noted that out of all the states and union territories, only 14 have set up state councils.

The court said, “The parliamentary legislation was intended to provide a legislative framework to protect the public interest against the proliferation of illegal institutional bodies. Despite the passage of three years since the enactment of the law, both the Union Government and the state governments have completely failed to discharge their statutory responsibilities.”