Rajya Sabha passes Homoeopathy Bills

The Rajya Sabha passed two Bills today – the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020, replacing the ordinance issued by the cabinet in January 2020.

The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill 2020, relates to improving access to quality and affordable medical education as well as ensures the availability of adequate and high-quality medical professionals of the Indian system of medicine. The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2020, promotes equitable and universal healthcare that encourages community health perspective and makes services of homeopathy medical professionals accessible to all citizens.

During the discussion, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Prasanna Acharya supported the Bill, and said only in extraordinary situations should the ordinance route should be adopted. In his reply, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said: "The ordinance was necessitated as Parliament was not in session."

Samajwadi Party (SP) member Ram Gopal Yadav asked the government not to delay the constitution of the commission as homeopathy is a necessity for the poor as allopathy is costly and in covid times private hospitals are charging more than Rs one lakh per day.

The Bill brought by the Centre amends the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 and after becoming an Act, the Central Council of Homoeopathy will regulate homeopathic education and practice..