The Rajya Sabha on Thursday took up the National Medical Commission Bill which is facing stiff protest from the medical fraternity, as it witnessed a brief adjournment in between over Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan or his deputy not being present in the Upper House.
Shortly after the House reconvened after lunch for continuing discussion on the Bill that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised an objection to the Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan not being present in the House.
Some other members from Congress, CPI and DMK were also on their feet to protest against the absence of the Union Minister as well as the MoS in the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
Ashwini Kumar Choubey is the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh said the minister has been informed and is coming to the House.
With members unrelenting, Union Minister Thaawarchand Gehlot said the minister will be in the House and in the meantime he was taking notes of the points raised by members,
He said,"I strongly opposed this clause. You are replacing the earlier Cabinet decision of a three and a half year science course (for medical practitioners) by a mid level health professionals (like nurse, blood sample collector, compounder."
Criticising the government,he said: "Are we making 70 per cent of population Guinea pigs."
Earlier the Congress as well as Samajwadi Party on urged the government to withdraw a provision in the Bill which aims to provide license to 3.5 lakh unqualified non-medical persons to practise modern medicine, saying it will "institutionalise quackery."
On the exit test, Azad asked,"If a students qualifies the EXIT test but does not come on merit for post graduation course then what would he do? Whether he would again appear for the test to qualify the entrance for PG course."
He said,"You are making the body as central government department...send it to select committee."