In its latest issue the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has advocated for a radical revamp of the Medical council of India (MCI) to remove corruption and lack of ethics in healthcare.

British Medical Journal , in its editorial on Thursday, has said, while referring to several observations in the Parliamentary standing committee report submitted in the Rajya Sabha in March, that the panel has laid bare the MCI’s failure to manage Background quality and integrity in health services in the country.

In its report the Parliamentary standing committee had criticized the Medical council of India for being “biased” organization acting “against larger public health goals”. It had described the Council as an “exclusive club” of medical doctors from corporate hospitals and private practice.

BMJ, in 2014, had initiated a campaign against corruption in the health sector. The journal published articles on kickbacks for referrals from doctors, revenue targets at corporate hospitals, and capitation fees in private medical college in India.

Taking serious note of these criticisms the committee had called for extensive reforms in the Medical council of India and removal of hurdles to the Common Medical Entrance Test for admission to MBBS and PG courses. It stressed that the admission should be granted on “merit” and not “on the ability to pay a capitation fee”.

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Present situation

In the latest BMJ editorial the Deen of Sir Ganga Ram Institute for Postgraduate Medical Education and research, Dr. Samiran Nundy has said that the Medical council of India “has failed to create a rigorous transparent system for accrediting medical colleges, leading to geographical mal-distribution and creation of ‘ghost faculties’ in private medical colleges.”

The authors of the BMJ editorial, lauding Parliamentary committee report, has Stated that it “is a landmark in identifying factors that have led to current scenario and apportions equal responsibility to the Health Ministry for letting thing come to this….”

All said, it is certain now that in order to act on the recommendations of the Committee; the Union Government would have to gather strong political support as any action would inevitably involve hearting well entrenched and powerful interests.

What is Medical council of India?

MCI (Medical Council of India), a statutory body, was first established under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1993.

The Council was later reconstituted under the Medical Council Act, 1956 that replaced the earlier Act. It was the responsibility for maintain standards of medical education, catering ethical oversight, maintaining the medical register, and through amendments in 1993¸sanctioning medical colleges.

Important functions of MCI

• Regulation of postgraduate medical education in medical colleges accredited by it.
• Accreditation of Medical Colleges
• Establishment and maintenance of Uniform standards for undergraduate Medical education.
• Recognitions of Medical qualifications granted by medical institutions in India.
• Registration of doctors with recognized medical qualifications.
• Recognition of foreign medical qualifications in India.
• Keeping a directory of all registered doctors. This directory is called the Indian Medical register (IMR).

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An expert panel, appointed by NITI Aayog, has submitted its recommendations to formulate a model law to formalize leasing of agricultural land. According to an official of the NITI Aayog, the think-tank would finalize the model law in a few days after taking a holistic view of the committee report.

Background

Agriculture land leasing has till date been informal due to legal restrictions inflicted by some states; Due to lack of any legal framework for leasing, the informal tenants (the actual tillers )of agricultural land have, in many areas of the country, been bereaved access to institutional credit, disaster relief, and other support services. The situation, where beneficiaries of agriculture support services have been the land-owner and not the actual tillers, has ignited problems of farmers’ suicides, default of agricultural loans among others.

Keeping a view all these facts, the NITI Aayog, in September 2015, had set up an expert Committee, on Land Leaded by T. Haque to examine the existing agricultural tenancy laws of various States and prepare a model Agricultural Land leasing Act.

During the course of preparing and before submitting its report to the NITI Aayog, the expert committee held several rounds of discussions with States, farmers and civil society groups.

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Model Law Proposals by NITI Aayog

The draft model law, while mooting clear ownership of land with the lesser, disallows using the asset for mortgage purposes. It is because one of the key objectives of the model law is to provide insurance, disaster relief, and bank credit to the tenant without mortgaging of the leased land.

Land ownership, according to the model law, is going to remain secure and will return to the owner; if the share of land is sold before the completion of the lease, the rights of the tenants will be made in the land records.

The Act is designed for States that plan to legalize form land leasing. It is expected that State Governments would improvise the model Act to suit the local socio-political requirements. The definition of farmland is proposed to be expanded to comprise food processing.

Attestation of the lease has been proposed to be done at the level of the Sarpanch, local bank official or notary. The Model Act also suggests that farmers and farmer groups be permitted to lease out land.

The Model Act is going to enable tillers of the land to get all the benefits which till date only owners take benefits of. However, the proposed model law does not restrain owner of the land from selling the asset even during the lease period, as long as the cultivation rights of the tenant do not get affected.

The Model Act suggests quicker litigation process in case of disputes. It proposes recourse through criminal proceedings and special tribunal. It is anticipated that the dispute settlement will be taken up at the level of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat and Tehsildar.

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On 1, April the fourth Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) started in Washington DC in which leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of more than 50 countries are taking part. Nuclear Security Summit , a world summit, aims at restraining nuclear terrorism across the world. The first summit was organized in 2010 in Washington DC, United States.

Number of countries participating in the 4^th NSS

53 countries and global institutions which cover the 98% of the nuclear material on the earth are participating in the summit. North Korea and Iran are not invited and Putin, the President of Russia, because of his differences with President Barak Obama over Ukraine, is not attending this summit. It is imperative here to mention that Putin had attended all three previous summits.

Key aims of the Nuclear Security Summit

The aim of the Nuclear Security Summit is to accost concern about fissile materials going into the wrong hands at a head-of-state level. It comprises minimizing the use of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU), aiding security at nuclear facilitates through improved national regulations and implementation of best practices, improved membership in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), establishing measures to detect and impede illicit trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. Its other aims are to establish Centres of Excellence, built capacity, expand technology and harmonize assistance on nuclear Security.

2016 Nuclear Security Summit Summit’s twin goals are:

• Invigorating the global nuclear security architecture.
• Promoting tangible improvements in nuclear security behavior.

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Limitations of the Nuclear Security Summit

83% of the nuclear material does not come within its ambit because Nuclear Security Summit covers nuclear material only for non-military purposes. Although NSS intends to amend the IAEA’s convention on nuclear safety, it has not been able to do so. NSS’ major drawback is that there is no legally binding outcome at the end of its six years process. Instead the process of NSS has kept its focus on asking and pursuing countries to tighten their national laws, rules and capabilities on nuclear security. This has implied that military facilities are treated as national responsibilities and handled as per international obligations.

Actions Plans of Nuclear Security Summit

Action Plans on nuclear security will be seconded to international organizations such as International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations, INTERPOL, Global Initiative to combat Nuclear Terrorism, and Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction.

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The Secretary of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has asserted that the Ministry, being guided by the philosophy of ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, is committed to promote ease of doing business in the media and entertainment sector.

On the occasion of participating in a dialogue with CEO STAR India and veteran film maker Mr. Ramesh Sippy at FCCI Frames 2016 the Secretary said, “One of our primary objective is to bring down the number of visitors to Shashtri Bhavan to a tricle. Move towards less regulation and facilitate India to become the hub of media and entertainment industry.”

The Secretary of I& Broadcasting Ministry informed that the clearance for new TV channels had been speeded up over the last six months under a liberalized regime. According to I & B Ministry the Ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to most of the proposals made by it about liberalizing several conditions.

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The Secretary claimed that the Government and Ministry is was fully committed to digitization programme, but stated concern over less than 10% share of Indian made Set Top Boxes: “we want the industry to look at this opportunity under the Make in India initiative and produce more Set Top boxes in India under the Electronics Manufacturing Scheme”. He asserted for that the Ministry aims to play a role of facilitator for this country.

The Secretary apprised that a decision had been finalized to set up the National Centre of excellence in Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects in Mumbai. Maharashtra Government is granting 25 acre land near Film city in Goregaon for the Institute. He also informed that the Union Government has sanctioned Rs. 598 crore National Film Heritage Mission to preserve and encourage Indian’s rich Film and cultural heritage.

The I & B secretary also told that a National Museum of Indian Cinema is coming up in Film Division Complex with several interactive exhibits. He informed, “Prime Minister has taken a keen interest in this museum which is being curated by the National Council of Science Museums, Kolkata”.

Paying attention on ease of doing business Mr. Secretary apprised that a Film Facilitation Office has been started in the National Film development Corporation (NFDC) to operate as a single window service for film related clearances. The Secretary further informed that an award had been instituted as part of the National Film Awards, to honour the State that are most film friendly. In 2016, Gujarat has been adjudged the most film friendly State, followed by UP and Kerala.

FICCI Frames is the annual conclave of media & Entertainment industry that attracts policy makers, producers, distributors, media and industry professionals in big numbers. The theme for 2016 is “Year of the Digital: change or Perish.

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A Legislation soliciting the Obama administration to help India to join APEC forum has been introduced in US Congress by few influential American lawmakers; in the Bill it has been argued that an economically prosperous India benefits the US goals in Asia.

What is APEC?

APEC (Asia- Pacific- Economic Cooperation) is a regional economic forum set up in 1989 to mark the growing interdependence of the Asia–Pacific. APEC’s 21 members intend to form greater prosperity for the people of the region by elevating balanced, inclusive regional economic integration.

What does APEC do?

APEC secures that goods, services, investment and people move across boards without facing unnecessary hurdles. Member countries expedite the trade through speedy customs procedures at borders; more favourable business environment behind the border; and collaborating regulations and standards across the region. For example, APEC’s initiatives to harmonize regulatory system is a key step to integrate the Asia–Pacific economy. A product can be more easily exported with just one set of common standards across all economies.

APEC works to cater help all residents of the Asia–Pacific to participate in the growing economy. For example APEC projects cater digital skills training for rural communities and help indigenous women in exporting their products abroad.

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Legislation contents

The legislation mentioned that India–US partnership is very important to US strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region and across the globe, and is an integral aspect to the Administration’s Rebalance to Asia. Pointing out that India’s location within the Asia–Pacific region provides an access for continued trade and investment partnership with APEC member states, the legislation has asked Secretary of State to form a strategy to secure membership status for India in APEC. It has even instructed the Secretary of State to actively ask APEC member States to favour such membership status for India and present a report within two months of the passage of this Bill.

Advantages for India to join APEC

By getting the membership in India to join APEC would get a constructive forum to gather insights from other Asian countries that have already taken significant steps to enhance their economies.

India is also endeavoring for major economic reforms to open its markets, increase trade volume and expedite its growing population’s need for continued job growth. Therefore, APEC can be an apt platform.

APEC’s 21 member economies

Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong; China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United State of America; Viet Nam.

APEC members account for approximately 40% of the world population, approximately 54% of the world’s gross and about 44% of world trade.

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