New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Monday questioned the timing of bringing the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and called for efforts to ‘recognise’ homoeopathy in the country.
Speaking on behalf of the party in the Lok Sabha, Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena raised procedural issues in the Bill. He said that the ordinance was issued May 18, 2018 and it was said the ordinance and the Bill were necessary to check large scale malpractices.
“One and half years back, we had a winter session in 2016, three full sessions of 2017 and one full session of 2018. During one and half years, the minister had enormous time to bring the Bill and avert this ordinance. So, what is the intent, what is the objective, why the legislative power has been misused time and again,” Jena exclaimed.
The BJD MP also sought provisions to popularise homoeopathy in the country and asked the government to take necessary steps to use it as an alternative medicine.
“Every year close to 63 million people face poverty due to medical related expenditure in our country. We must explore the potential of alternative medicines like homoeopathy. It is unfortunate that we have not been able to recognise and standardise homoeopathy as a science. We have failed to do that,” he said.
“I would urge the minister not to fill up this board with retired bureaucrats and in election year please don’t make it a place for political accommodation,” Jena added.
Notably, the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2018 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State, Ministry of AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik. It amends the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 and replaces it with the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018. The 1973 Act set up the Central Council of Homoeopathy which regulates homoeopathic education and practice.
Jena questions timing of Homoeopathy Bill
