Centre to dissolve Medical Council of India

NEW DELHI: The Union Government has decided to dissolve the scandal-hit Medical Council of India (MCI).

The Centre took the decision after MCI chairman Ketan Desai was charged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of corruption. Desai was arrested on April 22.

The Union Cabinet has decided to appoint a seven-member panel of eminent doctors to take care of the functioning of the MCI. On Wednesday, Desai submitted his resignation letter to MCI vice-president P C Kesavankutty Nair.

Nair has forwarded the resignation letter to the Union Health Ministry.

The MCI, constituted under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933, is responsible for ensuring uniform standards in medical education and to grant recognition to medical degrees awarded in India and abroad.

The permission of MCI is required for medical colleges across the country to increase the number of seats, to set up new medical college, to add new courses.

As per the IMC Act, Parliament has to give its nod for the dissolution or formation of a MCI board.