Lok Sabha clears bill on common entrance

In a significant move which will put in place a common examination for medical and dental courses, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill which will also bring private colleges under the government’s ambit.

The Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill 2016 and the Dentists (Amendment) Bill 2016 provides a Constitutional status to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) examination” which is intended to be introduced in the academic session next year.

The bill seeks to amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and the Dentists Act 1948, and replace the ordinances that were promulgated by the government to circumvent the Supreme Court order for the implementation of NEET examination in the Monsoon Session itself.

Moving the bill for passage, Union health minister J.P. Nadda said there were three main objectives behind the move — end the multiplicity of examinations, have fair and transparent examinations and adopt a non-exploitative process.

Mr Nadda also responded to the concerns over the involvement of Medical Council of India as some of its members had alleged that the body is “corrupt” and does not perform its duties properly. “A committee has been set up by the Prime Minister and that is at the final stage. Stakeholders have been called. The report is being finalised. We take cognisance of the issue,” he said.

On one common examination for medical and dental courses, proposed under the Bill, the health minister said that earlier students would have to travel long distances to appear for several medical entrance examinations. Also, students face exploitation, particularly with regard to the capitation fees. The new legislation will end all this.

Responding to apprehensions, particularly by members in TN where reservation is upto 85 per cent, he clarified, “We are not going to touch the st-ate quota. Students in Ta-mil Nadu will be competing in Tamil Nadu only.”