Parliament has passed the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2019 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. The Lok Sabah has already passed it. The bill seeks to extend the period for reconstitution of the council from existing period of one year to two years. This would allow the tenure of the board of governors of the council to be extended for a further period of one year with effect from 17th of May this year.

The tenure has been extended since the council could not be reconstituted within one year due to non-updation of state registers of homeopathy. The legislation will replace the ordinance promulgated in this regard.

Replying to a debate on the bill, Minister of Ayush, Shripad Yesso Naik said that under the bill, the affairs of the Central Homeopathy Council have been entrusted to a Board of Governors comprising eminent and qualified homeopathy doctors and eminent administrators till such a time the Council is reconstituted.

He said, the legislation will ensure promotion of  quality education and research in the field of Homoeopathy. He said, the legislation will put a check on flourishing of fake colleges.

Mr Naik also informed the House, that the government has decided to set up 50 bedded Ayush Hospital in every district of the country. He said, so far approval has been given to open more than 150 such hospitals.

Earlier,initiating the discussion, P L Punia of Congress questioned the government whether the new legislation will ensure transparency and do away with corruption in the Council. He said, the Homoeopathy system should be promoted as the treatment through it is affordable.

Ajay Pratap Singh of BJP said, the government has decided to set up over one lakh Health and Wellness Centres  and 10 per cent of the total Centre will have  AYUSH doctors. Ram Gopal Yadav of SP while supporting the bill demanded appointment of  renowned experts of homoeopathy in the Board of Governance.