Private medical Bill may not be tabled now, K'taka CM wants to consult stakeholders

Bengaluru: The fate of the controversial Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Bill 2017 now hangs in the balance with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slated to take a final decision on introducing the Bill after re-consulting all stakeholders including Health and Family Welfare Minister K.R. Rameshkumar.

It is doubtful if the bill will be tabled in the coming Belagavi session. Already, private medical establishments and private doctors are up in arms against the state government for trying to impose checks on them with this proposed legislation.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting here on Thursday, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T.B. Jayachandra said although the Cabinet has approved the bill in principle, it vested powers in the CM to have another round of discussion with the health minister and others before tabling the bill in the session. A joint select committee too had given its report based on which the bill had been framed. In the meantime, objections were raised by private medical practitioners who termed it draconian saying it would not allow them to do their job. 

The government had already succumbed to their pressure and deleted many recommendations including a jail term for doctors if they are found guilty of negligence. Besides, private hospitals are also against the rule making it mandatory to display the rate chart. In view of this, the CM would take a final call before tabling the bill in the Belagavi session. 

As for sand mining, the Cabinet also decided to bring sand extraction, identification of sand blocks and allotment to licensed holders under the director, Mines and Geology. Currently, task force committees have been set up under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioners to ensure availability of sand to all. However, there is a delay in disposal of applications by the task force. According to an estimate, over 2000 applications are pending. As per the revised sand policy, provision for import of sand which was not there in the old policy, has been included. Steps are also been taken for the promotion of M-Sand across the state, he said adding that sand extraction would  be allowed in non-CRZ zones in three coastal districts of Karnataka