The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018, explained

New Delhi, July 30: Union Minister Shripad Yesso Naik to move The Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 bill in Lok Sabha for further consideration on Monday.

The Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 (59 of 1973) was enacted for constitution of the Central Council of Homoeopathy and the maintenance of the Central Register of Homoeopathy and for matters connected therewith.

The bill was promulgated on May 18, 2018. It amends the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 which sets up the Central Council of Homoeopathy. The Central Council regulates homoeopathic education and practice.

As Parliament was not in session and immediate action was required to be taken, the President promulgated the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 on the 18th day of May, 2018.

A. Supersession of the Central Council: The Ordinance amends the 1973 Act to provide for the supersession of the Central Council with effect from May 18, 2018. The Central Council will be reconstituted within one year from the date of its supersession. In the interim period, the central government will constitute a Board of Governors, which will exercise the powers of the Central Council.

B. The Board of Governors will consist of up to seven members including: (i) persons of eminence in the field of homoeopathy education, and (ii) eminent administrators, appointed by the central government. The central government will select one of these members as the Chairperson of the Board. With regard to policy decisions, the directions of the central government will be final.

C. Permission for existing homoeopathy colleges: The Ordinance states that: (i) if any person has established a homoeopathy medical college, or (ii) if an established homoeopathy medical college has opened new courses or increased its admission capacity before the Ordinance was promulgated, it will have to seek permission from the central government within one year. If the person or homoeopathy medical college fails to seek such permission, then any medical qualification granted to a student from such medical college will not be recognised under the Act.

Therefore, proposed to introduce the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018, to replace the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 which, inter alia, provides for the following, namely:

(a) to constitute a Board of Governors by superseding the Central Council of Homoeopathy till a new Central Council is duly reconstituted within a period of one year from the date of supersession of the Central Council;

(b) to make provision for obtaining prior permission of the Central Government by all Homoeopathy Medical Colleges.