Centre plans student-friendly medical bill

In a major rethink, the Centre is likely to inculcate significant student-friendly provisions in the draft National Medical Commission (NCM) Bill 2016. According to highly placed sources, a Niti Aayog panel is considering including the provision of common counselling for all medical colleges, as well as offering a flexible band of 30-70 per cent free seats in private medical institutions across the country.

Sources privy to the development told this newspaper that if the provisions are included in the Bill, then the legislation will become even more dynamic. The proposed Bill — prepared in August — aims at reforming the medical sector by replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body (National Medical Commission), and proposes setting up several advisory and regulatory bodies.

While both Niti Aayog and Union health ministry were keen to bring the Bill during the Monsoon session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is learnt to have asked for more clarity on the provisions from the states and concerned stakeholders before giving it a final shape, sources said.

The propositions are part of the 15,700 suggestions which Niti Aayog had received from the states.

Sources said the four-member Niti Aayog panel, led by its vice chairman Arvind Panagariya, is likely to take a final call on the inclusion of these suggestions into the proposed Bill by next week.

If common counselling comes into effect, it will provide greater options to meritorious students seeking admission in medical colleges. Those with higher ranks will be able to choose colleges of their choice. At present, colleges conduct individual counselling on their own, leaving students without many choices while selecting colleges as per rank.

States have suggested common counselling for admission in medical colleges, which would take into consideration the fee structure, rank in NEET, and number of seats available.

Moreover, the Niti Aayog panel is learnt to be considering including in the draft legislation, a flexible band of 30 per cent to 70 per cent free seats in all private medical colleges.

As of now, the percentage of free seats varies from state to state. While Punjab doesn't offer free seats at all, private medical colleges offer 75 per cent seats in Gujarat. Orissa offers 50 per cent free seats per college. This proposal could also mean that students from economically weaker sections would be able to get admission in private colleges.

Besides Panagariya, the Niti Aayog panel includes P K Mishra, additional principal secretary to Prime Minister; Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Aayog; and B P Sharma, former health secretary.