Nominates C. Phunsog, Prof Manoj Dhar
Srinagar: Nearly four months after re-organisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir, the Government of India has nominated representatives of J&K and Ladakh Union Territories in the Medical Advisory Council of the National Medical Commission, which will replace the Medical Council of India (MCI).
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Centre has nominated Dr Manoj Kumar Dhar, vice-chancellor, Jammu University and Chewang Phunsog, vice-chancellor, Ladakh University, respectively, as representatives of J&K and Ladakh UTs in the Medical Advisory Council of NCM.
The Council will be the platform through which the states and union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the NMC. The names were finalized on the recommendation of MHA, which has power to do so for Union Territories.
As per KNO, before re-organisation of erstwhile state of J&K, Dhar was representative of the state in the Medical Advisory Council.
He was then nominated by the State of Jammu and Kashmir for the position because states are empowered to do so under the NMC law. He ceased to be member of NMC’s Medical Advisory Council from October 31 when J&K Re-organisation Act came into force C Phunsog, a former CS of J&K, was appointed as first vice-chancellor of Ladakh University by Governor Satya Pal Malik in 2019.
The NMC will replace the nearly 63-year-old Medical Council of India which regulates medical education in India. The NMC law provides for national entrance test-NEET-along with common counselling for MBBs and a common final year MBBS exam, to be known as National Exit Test, which will be applicable to all institutes including those of national importance like AIIMS.
The commission will be an overarching body, which will frame policies and coordinate activities of four autonomous boards. The boards will look after the work of UG and PG education, Medical Assessment and Rating and Ethics and Medical Registration—(KNO)
