Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018

Why in News?

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 for regulation and standardisation of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals.

Highlights:

  • The Bill provides for setting up of an Allied and Healthcare Council of India and corresponding State Allied and Healthcare Councils which will play the role of a standard-setter and facilitator for professions of Allied and Healthcare.
  • The Bill also empowers the Central and State Governments to make rules.
  • Central Govt. has the power to issue directions to the Council, to make regulations and to add or amend the schedule.

Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill:

  • The bill provides for the establishment of central and corresponding state allied and healthcare councils and 15 major professional categories including 53 professions in allied and healthcare streams.
  • It provides for structure, constitution, composition and functions of the central council and state councils such as framing of policies and standards, regulation of professional conduct, creation and maintenance of live registers, provisions for common entry and exit examinations.
  • The professional advisory bodies under central and state councils will examine issues independently and provide recommendations relating to specific recognised categories.
  • The bill will also have an overriding effect on any other existing law for any of the covered professions.
  • The state council will undertake recognition of allied and healthcare institutions.
  • The clause of offences and penalties has been included in the bill to check mal¬practices. The bill also empowers the central and state governments to make rules.
  • Under the bill’s provisions, the central government will also have the power to issue directions to the council, to make regulations and to add or amend the schedule.
  • The bill calls for the constitution of an interim council within 6 months of its passing, which will hold the charge for a period of two years until the establishment of the Central Council.
  • ·The council at the centre and the states are to be established as body corporate with a provision to receive funds from various sources.
  • The councils will also be supported by central and state governments respectively through grant-in-aid as needed. However, if the state government expresses inability, the central government may release some grant for initial years to the state council.

Composition of the Council:

The central council:

  • Comprises of 47 members, of which 14 members shall be ex-officio representing diverse and related roles and functions and remaining 33 shall be non-ex-officio members who mainly represent the 15 professional categories.

The state council:

  • It is also envisioned to mirror the central council, comprising 7 ex-officio and 21 non-ex officio members and a chairperson to be elected from amongst the non-ex officio members.

Targets:

  • An Interim Council will be constituted within 6 months of passing of the Act holding charge for a period of two years until the establishment of the Central Council.
  • The Council at the Centre and the States are to be established as body corporate with a provision to receive funds from various sources.
  • Councils will also be supported by Central and State Governments respectively through Grant-in-aid as needed. However, if the State Government expresses inability, the Central Government may release some grant for initial years to the State Council.
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