New Delhi: After the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 92nd Report examined the functioning of Medical Council of India (MCI) and made certain observation, the government of India constituted a four member Committee headed by Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog on March 28, 2016.
As per the information given by the Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Mr Faggan Singh Kulaste in the Parliament recently, the terms of references for the Committee included that it could examine all options for reforms in the MCI and suggest way forward. The Committee may also visit the features of other regulatory institutions in the field of medical education and suggest suitable reforms.
In addition, based on the Supreme Court of India directions in Civil Appeal No. 4060 of 2009 of Modern Dental College and Research Centre & Ors. versus State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors., a three member Committee has been constituted to oversee the functioning of the MCI and all other matters considered by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
As per the data given by the minister, there are 439 medical colleges in the country. The permission to establish a medical college and to admit students is granted initially for a period of one year after physical inspection of the proposed college and is renewed on yearly basis subject to verification of achievements of annual targets. The MCI carries out inspections till such time the establishment of the medical college and expansion of the hospital facilities are complete and a formal recognition to the medical college is granted.
