Amid row, govt plans to scrap Maharashtra Medical Council elections

Mumbai: The state govt on Monday proposed amendments to Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) Act, 1965, allowing the appointment of members through nomination instead of elections.MMC, a statutory body responsible for the registration and regulation of doctors in the state, oversees ethical standards in the medical profession and matters related to medical education. Every doctor must register with the council. The state cabinet's announcement came ahead of the MMC elections, which are scheduled to be held on April 26 as per a directive from Supreme Court. There were allegations from various doctors' panels contesting the elections about "politicisation" of the entire process. A rift emerged in Indian Medical Association (IMA), whose members were contesting the MMC elections; the IMA split into two rival factions, each claiming to be the organisation's sole representative for the polls. On Monday, state officials said MMC is now being modelled on the lines of National Medical Commission (NMC), which only has nominated members. But many in the medical fraternity are sceptical. One doctor said that the move comes at a juncture when govt is trying to push for more recognition for homoeopathy, especially to let them practise allopathic medicine. Dr Suhas Pingle, an elected member in the former MMC, concurred, adding that "this is not only the question of abolishing the autonomous status of MMC, but is the beginning of the end of democracy." According to the govt statement, a high-level committee constituted under the chairmanship of the department of medical education and research has proposed amendments to the Act. The committee of experts studied the structure of medical councils in other states as well as National Medical Commission Act, 2019, and submitted its report. The proposed amendments will allow appointment of council members through nomination rather than elections, the statement said. As per the state govt, the new council will have a balanced representation of experts and members from the field of medical education. Additionally, the number of members will be increased from 18 to 23.
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