Pressure on NMC, Health Ministry for asset disclosure of NMC members

New Delhi: The National Medical Commission (NMC), as well as the Health Ministry, have now found themselves at the receiving end of allegations of lack of transparency as doctors have alleged that NMC members are not making full asset disclosure required by the law.

It is mandatory for the Chairperson and every member of NMC to declare their assets and liabilities at the time of entering the office and at the time of emitting it. According to Section 6(6) of the NMC Act 2019, "The Chairperson and every member of the Commission shall make declaration of his assets and his liabilities at the time of entering upon his office and at the time of demitting his office and also declare his professional and commercial engagement or involvement in such form and manner as may be prescribed, and such declaration shall be published on the website of the Commission."

Leading this charge with complaints of lack of transparency in the functioning of the commission, Dr Babu KV has filed an application to build pressure on the NMC and disclose their assets.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, RTI Activist Dr Babu KV pointed out that despite this rule, to this date, no such declaration has been published by the Commission on its website and alleged that the NMC chose to remain silent despite repeated applications filed under the Right to Information (RTI). In fact, even though he approached the Union Health Ministry as well, no action has been taken in this regard until this day, he said.