LS clears bill to replace homeopathy council

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill to replace an ordinance using which the Centre dissolved the Homeopathy Council of India two months ago in view of large-scale irregularities in its functioning and accusations of corruption against some of its office bearers.

The Homeopathy Central Council (Amendment) bill was passed in the Lok Sabha by voice vote after a debate on it.

The bill seeks to replace the Homeopathy Central Council (amendment) ordinance that allowed a Board of Governors to run the council for one year till a new body is formed.

The AYUSH ministry had introduced the bill in Lok Sabha for its consideration and passage on July 23.

During a discussion on the bill, Opposition members criticised the government over promulgation of an Ordinance to dissolve the Homeopathy Council of India two months ago.

They sought to know what was the "urgency" that prompted the government to bring the Ordinance.

Congress member Karan Singh Yadav accused the government of making attempts to “saffronise the system by placing their men” to key positions.

In his reply, Ayush minister Shripad Yesso Naik categorically rejected the Congress member's charge of saffronisation, saying there was no such thing happening.

On why the government went for the ordinance route to dissolve the Homeopathy Council of India, he said a change in the council's administration was required because there have been instances of serious malpractices in the council.

“There were many other issues. There was no other alternative. It would have created more problems in future,” the minister added.

The minister assured the House that the government will “try its best” to reconstitute a new council within the stipulated time after Congress member Adhir Ranjan demanded that the minister must give an assurance in this regard.