The ministry of Ayush has proposed a draft note of Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill 2016 to overcome the difficulties faced in the functioning of Central Council of Indian Medicine. The proposed amendment is to streamline the overall functioning of the central council with an aim to improve its performance and result in effective implementation of the government policies.

The ministry had proposed certain amendment to the Indian Medicine Central Council (IMCC) Act, 1970 and introduced Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005. The ministry has examined the recommendation of the standing committee of ministry of health and family welfare but as the time has lapsed, the ministry decided to withdraw the Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2005 and proposed to introduce it afresh as Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

The ministry has inserted section 33A, 33B and 37 in the proposed bill stating the power of central council to issue directions. The Central government may from time to time give directions to the central council as it may consider necessary, provided that if any dispute arises between the council and the government, the decision of central government shall be final.

As per section 33B, the Central government has the power to dissolve the central council if the council is unable to perform. Before issuing dissolution notice, the central government shall give a reasonable time to the council for explanation.

As per the amendment of section 13A, the council can sanction approval to the medical college to admit new batch of students in any course of study or training including post graduate course after examining the whether the college has adequate financial resources and necessary facilities in respect of staff, equipment, accommodation, training, hospital or other facilities to ensure proper functioning of the medical college.

The amendment of section 3 in the principal act states that the Central government shall nominate three members each from the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Science or Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine or Central Council for Research in  Siddha, Department of the government of India dealing with Ayush and the National Institute of Ayurveda or the National Institute of Unani Medince or the National Institute of Siddha.

Overall there are 13 amendments made in the principal Act for improvising the functioning of the central council.