Bill to replace MCI tabled in Lower House

The much-criticised National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill that will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI), the apex regulatory body which overlooks medical practice, was tabled in Lok Sabha on Friday. The bill will eventually be taken up for discussion in the Lower House.

The bill states that NMC can appoint third-party agencies to carry out inspections of medical institutions.

It states, "The Medical Assessment and Rating Board will carry out inspections for assessing and rating the medical institutions, and if it deems necessary, hire and authorise any third-party agency or persons for doing so. It can also empanel independent rating agencies to conduct, assess and rate institutions."

Over the last few years, MCI has come under scrutiny for its office members having had compromised their roles for financial benefits. The NMC bill states that the Central government can remove from office any Chairperson or member who may have acquired financial or other interest.