Bills on central councils for homoeopathy, Indian medicines get RS nod

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 18

The Rajya Sabha today passed two Bills, replacing ordinances related to the Central Council of Homoeopathy and the Indian Medicine Central Council.

The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020, seeks to further extend the time to form the Central Council of Homeopathy by a year, after exhausting two years for the purpose.

The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020, also seeks a year’s extension to reconstitute the central council and provide for a board of directors to exercise its powers in the interim period.

Replying to the debate on the two Bills, Union Health minister Harsh Vardhan said the government was committed to providing affordable and easy healthcare facilities to every citizen.

He also defended the Centre’s decision to bring ordinances, saying there was nothing “abnormal” and that governments have been taking this route, depending on the necessity.

Both Bills were introduced in the Upper House on September 14, the first day of the ongoing monsoon session, which is being held in the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.