Anti-quackery officer proposes central monitoring panel, online doc database

Guwahati: The anti-quackery and vigilance officer of the Assam Council of Medical Registration, acting on the direction of the Gauhati high court, has submitted suggestions including creation of a central monitoring and coordinating committee, to oversee district quackery units and an online database of doctors registered with the Assam Council of Medical Registration to control quackery in the state.

The HC has directed the state govt to file its response to the suggestions by March 12.


A bench of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury had, in Aug last year, directed petitioner Abhijit Neog — appointed by the Assam Council of Medical Registration as its anti-quackery and vigilance officer last year — to file an affidavit detailing steps taken and suggestions for identifying quacks in the state. The PIL was filed in 2023.

Petitioner’s counsel I Chowdhury told the court that after the appointment, the anti-quackery and vigilance cell identified 47 alleged quacks, with FIRs lodged against most of them and some arrests made.

He also informed the court that anti-quackery units constituted in all districts are operating under the supervision of the director of health services, Assam, and that the petitioner has no clear idea about their functioning.

Among the proposals placed before the court is a central monitoring and coordinating committee to oversee the functioning of district quackery units, along with suggestions on its composition. It was suggested that the committee include the director of health services, the registrar of the Assam Council of Medical Registration, the registrar of the State Council of Indian Medicines (SCIM) or an officer deputed by the Directorate of Ayush, Assam, a police officer, representatives of recognised medical professional bodies such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and law officers.

Other suggestions include allotment of a toll-free helpline number for reporting quacks, creation of an online database of doctors registered with the Assam Council of Medical Registration, and setting up another anti-quackery cell under the home and political department modelled on the lines of cyber crime cell, narcotic cell, vigilance & anti-corruption wing, women and child helpline cell, with specially trained officers.

Additional advocate general B Gogoi submitted that efforts have been made to control quackery in the state and that the petitioner’s suggestions would be considered and, if necessary, incorporated into measures being undertaken by the state. He further submitted that the possibility of a statutory framework for controlling quackery would also be contemplated at the govt level and, if it happens, it would be communicated to the court. The next hearing is scheduled for March 12.