Standing Committee Report Summary

Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015

• The Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare (Chair: Mr. Satish Chandra Misra) submitted its report on the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015 on July 30, 2015. The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2015 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on May 6, 2015.  The Bill amends the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973. 
   
• The Act establishes the Homoeopathy Central Council to regulate and enforce standards with regard to homoeopathy colleges and homoeopathy practitioners in the country. The Bill seeks to disallow admissions in homoeopathy medical colleges which do not conform to the prescribed educational standards.

Key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:

• Prior permission: The Bill seeks to introduce mandatory prior permission of the central government to admit a new batch of students into any course of a homoeopathy medical institution.  The Standing Committee agreed with this provision.  It also recommended that an appeal mechanism should be put in place to address grievances of homoeopathy institutions. 
   
• De-recognition of qualification: The Bill states that in case a medical institution admits a new batch of students without prior permission, then medical qualification of any student of the institution will not be recognised.  The Standing Committee observed that the proposed amendment makes any student of the medical institution liable for de-recognition.  The Standing Committee recommended that this provision should only apply to students admitted to a new batch without previous permission.
   
• The Standing Committee noted that there is a need to incorporate penal provisions for defaulting medical institutions, as the liability of such institutions is greater than that of students. A punitive provision would act as a deterrent for defaulting medical institutions.  Therefore, the Committee recommended that the central government must address this issue through appropriate amendments.
   
• Period of validity: The Bill provides that prior permission for admitting a new batch of students will be valid for a period of five years.  The Committee agreed with the proposed amendment.  Further, the Committee recommended that once the proposed amendments are notified, the relevant regulations must be amended to provide the Central Council with powers to inspect homoeopathy medical institutions within the period of five years.
   
• Functioning of the Council: In 2005, the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005 was introduced in Rajya Sabha.  It is presently pending in that House.  This Bill provides for matters such as removal of the President of the Central Council, etc.  The Standing Committee recommended that the Ministry must also bring the 2005 Bill to streamline the functioning of the Homoeopathy Central Council.

 

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