Ayush : IMCC (Amendment) Bill 2016

Ayush has proposed a draft note for the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill 2016. This is being done to overcome the difficulties faced in the functioning of Central Council of Indian Medicine. The proposed amendment is meant to streamline the overall functioning of the Central Council; the aim is to improve upon performance and effective implementation of government policies.

In 2005, Ayush came up with an Amendment Bill to the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970. Recommendations were examined and the Amendment Bill, 2005 passed; however, since time has elapsed since that review, the government body has decided to withdraw the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005, and introduce it afresh as the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Section 33A, 33B and 37 have been inserted in the proposed bill by the Ayush Ministry, giving powers to the Central Council to issue directions. The Central Government has the authority to give instructions to the Central Council when it deems necessary. The government‘s decision on matters remaining final states Pharmabiz.

Under section 33B, the Central Government retains the power of dissolving the Central Council; however, reasonable time is to be given to the latter to explain its position.

Under the amended section 13 A, the Council can sanction approval for admission of students to a medical college, for any course of study or training including post graduate courses. However, it would have to look into the availability of financial resource and necessary facilities with respect to staff, equipment, accommodation, training and other facilities. This to ensure proper functioning of the medical college.

The section 3 amendment of the Principal Act includes nomination of 3 members each from:

• the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Science or Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine

or Central Council for Research in Siddha

• Department of the Government of India dealing with Ayush


• the National Institute of Ayurveda or the National Institute of Unani Medicine or the National Institute of Siddha

Overall there are 13 amendments made in the Principal Act for improvising the functioning of the Central Council.