Under fire from the Opposition in the Lok Sabha for bringing the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Ordinance in a hurry in May, the Central government on Monday justified the move saying it was taken in the larger interest of students and homeopathy colleges who might have faced derecognition. The Lok Sabha passed the Homoeopathy Council Bill on Monday.

Replying to a discussion on ‘The Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018, that replaced the 18 May ordinance promulgated by the President, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Aayush, Shreepad Yesso Naik, told the members that promulgation of the ordinance became necessary as granting permission within the stipulated period to colleges for running their courses would not have been possible. This would have created the same problem of irregularities in the management of the homeopathy institutions, the minister explained.

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The Bill that was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday states “(i) if any person has established a homoeopathy medical college, or (ii) if an established homoeopathy medical college has opened new courses or increased its admission capacity before the Ordinance was promulgated, it will have to seek permission from the central government within one year. If the person or homoeopathy medical college fails to seek such permission, then any medical qualification granted to a student from such medical college will not be recognised under the Act.”

The Homoeopathy Council Bill seeks to replace the Central Council of Homeopathy with a board of governors. The objective of the exercise, according to the minister, is to bring accountability and improve quality of education in Homeopathy studies.

Allaying members’ fears, Naik said the newly constituted board of governors would remain functional for a year. It would try and address various lacunae in the administering of the council.

After one year, fresh elections to Central Council of Homeopathy would be held . Naik said a new Bill on Ayush, Siddhi and Unani system of medicine was also under consideration.