Maharashtra Cabinet to scrap Medical Council Elections, moves to nomination system

Mumbai: In a major policy shift on Monday, the Maharashtra government decided to scrap the election process for the executive body of the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), replacing it with a nomination-based system. The move will require amendments to the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965, and is expected to be implemented through an ordinance.  

According to the news reports, the decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting on Monday. Elections to the MMC were earlier scheduled for April 26, following a directive from the Supreme Court of India issued in January. However, the council has not held elections since 2016 and has been functioning under a state-appointed administrator since 2022.  

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Doctors associated with the MMC have strongly opposed the move, alleging that the government is trying to take control of the body, which is directly related to the medical fraternity. Dr Shiv Kumar Utture, former president of the MMC, said they were likely to approach the court. “In a democracy, it is absolutely clear that you have to have an election,” he said. “I am also surprised at the timing of the decision, as the Supreme Court just three months ago directed that the long-pending MMC elections be held,” reports Hindustan Times.

Dr. Utture also noted that while past reforms were introduced in other medical regulatory bodies due to corruption allegations, no such issues currently exist within the MMC. He added that the council’s functioning in Maharashtra has been considered a model for other states.

Under the new proposal, members of the council will be directly nominated instead of being elected. The government has also constituted a high-level committee under the Department of Medical Education and Research to recommend structural reforms. The committee reportedly included experts such as Dr Anand Bang, Dr Kailash Sharma, and Dr Vikas Mahatme, and studied regulatory frameworks, including the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, as well as medical council systems in other states.

The proposed amendments will allow appointment of council members through nomination rather than elections, the statement said. The council will have a balanced representation of experts and members from the field of medical education, and the selection process for membership will be transparent and merit-based, it said, reports PTI.

The MMC currently functions as a statutory regulatory body responsible for registering medical practitioners, renewing licences, approving additional qualifications, enforcing professional ethics, and handling grievances against doctors. It also plays a role in maintaining standards in medical education and supporting continuing professional development.

At present, the council has 18 members—nine elected and nine nominated by the government. Under the proposed changes, the membership will be expanded to 23, with all members appointed through nomination rather than elections.

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