Missing Members, Absenteeism, Rule Violations- Several lapses at Rajasthan Medical Council Exposed

The report raises concerns over missing appointments, absenteeism, and a lack of adherence to statutory provisions, all of which have significantly impacted the council’s regulatory role.

Deficiencies in Composition and Membership

The Rajasthan Medical Council, established in March 1952, is responsible for registering qualified medical practitioners, maintaining their bio-data, and overseeing ethical standards in the profession. As per Section 4 of the Rajasthan Medical Act, 1952, the council must consist of a President nominated by the government, three government-nominated members, one member elected from the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) faculty, one from each affiliated medical college, and six members elected by registered practitioners.

However, a scrutiny of records from 2016-22 revealed significant non-compliance. The CAG found that three government-nominated members were not appointed between August 2018 and July 2019. Additionally, no faculty member from Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) was elected to the council between 2016-21, despite this being a statutory requirement. Further irregularities were noted in the representation of medical colleges. Members from six major institutions, including Jodhpur, Jhalawar, Ajmer, Udaipur, Kota, and Bikaner, were absent from the council for durations ranging from 49 to 615 days, making the council ineffective in carrying out its regulatory responsibilities.

The CAG report strongly criticized these lapses, noting:

"Neither the composition nor the functioning of the Rajasthan Medical Council was in accordance with the requirements of the Rajasthan Medical Act."

Absenteeism and Non-Enforcement of Membership Rules

The audit also raised concerns about absenteeism within the council. Under Section 9(1)(b) of the Rajasthan Medical Act, 1952, any council member who is absent for three consecutive meetings without a valid excuse must vacate their seat. However, the audit found that two members failed to attend three consecutive meetings, yet their seats were not declared vacant as required by law. Instead of addressing this issue, the council resorted to taking telephonic consent from absent members to pass unanimous decisions on key matters.

The State Government acknowledged these lapses in January 2024, stating that the delayed election process led to gaps in representation from medical colleges. The government further justified the practice of seeking telephonic approval from absent members, stating:

"Members from the college councils could not attend the meetings due to their pre-occupation in work, and therefore, consent of the members is taken telephonically to take unanimous decisions in important matters."

However, the CAG maintained that these practices violated statutory requirements and undermined the council’s ability to function effectively.

CAG’s Recommendations for Strengthening the Rajasthan Medical Council

To address these shortcomings, the CAG has recommended that the State Government actively monitor the Rajasthan Medical Council’s operations and ensure compliance with legal provisions. The report emphasizes the urgent need for the council to function in accordance with the Rajasthan Medical Act, 1952 to maintain transparency, accountability, and efficiency. It states:

"The State Government should monitor the functioning of the State Medical Council and State Pharmacy Council to ensure effective regulation by these bodies."