The Cabinet on November 22 approved the Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2018 for regulation and standardisation of education and services by allied and healthcare professionals.

The bill provides for setting up of one central council along with state councils which will play the role of standard-setter and facilitator for allied and healthcare professions. With a budget of Rs 95 crore for the first four years (about Rs 75 crore for the states and the remaining for central council operations), the bill suggests establishment of 15 major professional categories including 53 professions in allied and healthcare streams.

The bill provides for structure, constitution, composition and functions of the central and state councils such as framing policies and standards, regulation of professional conduct, creation and maintenance of live registers, and provisions for common entry and exit examinations, among others.

The bill will also have an overriding effect on any other existing law for any of the covered professions and empowers the Centre and states to make rules. The bill states that the Centre will also have the power to issue directions to the Council, make regulations and add or amend the schedule. An Interim Council will be constituted within six months of making of the Act to hold charge for a period of two years, until the establishment of the central council.

As per the bill, the central and state councils are to be established as body corporate with a provision to receive funds from various sources. The councils will also be supported by the Centre and state governments through grant-in-aid as needed. However, if the states expresses inability, the Centre may release some grant for initial years.