Health minister issues order dissolving Delhi Medical Council
New Delhi
Delhi health minister Pankaj Singh on Wednesday issued an order to dissolve the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) and reconstitute a new council within two months, a day after lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena approved a government proposal in this regard and called for the dissolution of the statutory body over allegations of irregularities, especially extending retirement age of ex-registrar Dr Girish Tyagi.
The minister said that the director-general of health services (DGHS), Dr Rati Makkar, will take charge as the interim registrar of the DMC. However, DMC officials said they did not get any communication in this regard.
Health minister Singh told HT, 'The proposal from the LG office was approved last night. Today, we have issued a formal order to DMC. There are alleged reports of irregularities by DMC which now will be probed following which action will be taken against the members of DMC who were involved in the alleged irregularities and abuse of powers.'
He said, 'As of now, DGHS director will be the registrar of the council. She will further appoint two other officials who will also look into the duties of DMC.'
The issue at hand pertains to the extension of former registrar Dr Girish Tyagi's tenure beyond the age limit of 60, first to 65 and then for an additional year.
On May 13, HT reported that amid allegations of mismanagement and irregularities in DMC's functioning, the health department sent a file titled 'Proposal for control of government over Delhi Medical Council under Section 29 of the DMC Act, 1997' to LG VK Saxena, recommending the council's dissolution.
In an order issued late Tuesday, the LG said: 'I have perused the proposal regarding dissolution of Delhi Medical Council for a specified period under Section 29 of the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997. It is observed that the Health Department has rightly pointed out the irregularity wherein the DMC unilaterally extended the retirement age of the Registrar from 60 years to 65 years without Government approval and further extended his term by one year with effect from 1Jan 2024, Additionally, in response to the Show Cause Notice dated 6, Feb, 2025, the DMC merely stated that Dr Tyagi resigned with immediate effect but did not address the unauthorised extension, which resulted in Dr Tyagi serving over five years beyond the normal retirement age.'
'Health Department may be directed to initiate the process for the reconstitution of the Delhi Medical Council in accordance with the provisions of the Act, ensuring that the entire process is completed within two months,' the order said.
Dr Tyagi joined DMC as deputy registrar in June 2007 and was elevated as the registrar in July 2008. As he was set to retire at the age of 60 in November 2019, a DMC amendment in February 2019 extended his retirement age to 65. When he turned 65 on November 3, the council on November 11 approved an additional year's extension from December 1, 2024.
On Wednesday, Dr Tyagi said that the matter of his one-year extension was currently sub judice and he had taken an extension following due process. 'The council gave a year extension as per Section 36 of the DMC Act and informed the Delhi government. The Delhi government itself has given in the first affidavit justifying the same in the high court of Delhi in writ petition. Meanwhile, the high court is examining this matter WP 61152/24.'
A member of the DMC, on condition of anonymity, said, 'The only irregularity that the health department has pointed out is the extension of the registrar's term. It is interesting to note that the extension was done by the previous council (2014–2019) and not the present one. Then, on what basis are these allegations being made against the council and it is being dissolved? Further, the matter of extension of the registrar is also sub judice, so in future, if the court finds that the extension was done as per the law, will the government then reinstate the council?'
DMC was established in September 1998 as per the Delhi Medical Council Act, 1997, which was enacted by the government of the NCT of Delhi. DMC is an autonomous statutory body whose primary role is to regulate the practice of doctors in Delhi and ensure ethical practices are followed by private doctors.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Maternity leave can be included in bond period: Madras High Court
MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the state government to return the educational certificates of a doctor, which were withheld on the ground that she had gone on maternity leave without completing the mandatory two-year service done by postgraduate doctors. A bench of justices G R Swaminathan and K Rajasekar observed that the 12-month maternity period should be counted as part of the bond period. The judges made the observation while allowing an appeal filed by the doctor, E Krithikaa, challenging an order passed by a single judge rejecting her previous petition. During the admission to MS (General Surgery) at Thanjavur Government Medical College, Krithikaa signed a bond for the sum of Rs 40 lakh with an undertaking that upon completion of the three-year course, she would serve the government for at least two years. She was also required to submit her original certificates. After graduating in August 2019, she served as an assistant surgeon at Thittakudi GH for a year and went on maternity leave. Saying that she did not complete the bonded service period, the authorities refused to return her certificates, a decision upheld by the single judge. Hearing her appeal, the division bench cited several SC judgments declaring that every woman has a fundamental right to maternity benefits. The judges referred to various provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, especially section 27, which stated that provisions of the Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any contract of service. Thus, the bench said the bond condition should give way to the rights conferred on women under the Act. It added that though the doctor is not a regular government employee, she is entitled to the same treatment.
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Abortions in Kerala rise 76% over nine years
KOLLAM: Kerala has recorded an over 76% jump in abortion cases over a nine-year period, given the improved access to reproductive healthcare, according to data with the Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal. The state reported 30,037 abortions in 2023-24, compared to 17,025 in 2014-15, marking a 76.43% increase. In the latest period, 21,282 abortions were conducted in private hospitals, while government hospitals accounted for only 8,755 cases, indicating a growing reliance on private healthcare facilities. The data includes both spontaneous and induced abortions. In 2023-24, the state reported 20,179 induced abortions and 9,858 spontaneous abortions. In 2014-15, abortion procedures were almost evenly split between public and private hospitals, with 8,324 and 8,701 cases respectively. However, since 2015-16, private hospitals have consistently recorded a higher share of cases. From 2015-16 to 2024-25, Kerala reported a total of 1,97,782 abortion cases, of which only 67,004 were in government hospitals. Private hospitals accounted for 1,30,778 cases during this period. The report also noted a steady rise in induced abortions over the period under under review, reflecting better access to reproductive healthcare. Health experts, however, express concern over the increasing dependence on private hospitals and stress the need to strengthen the public health sector. Speaking to TNIE, Dr Leema, senior gynaecologist at the Women and Children Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, said more patients now prefer private institutions due to better facilities and enhanced privacy. 'Medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) is a high-risk procedure,' said Leema. 'It is high time govt invested in better infra' 'Under the MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021, the permissible abortion limit has been extended from 20 to 24 weeks. Most women seeking abortions today are aware of their rights. They trust private hospitals for better operational care, post-procedure support, and, importantly, privacy — something often lacking in government institutions. Women today don't want to take risks with their lives and naturally lean towards private care,' she said. Dr Pandu R, senior gynaecologist at Kannur MCH, said it is high time the government invested in better infrastructure to regain public trust.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Bombay High Court orders fertility clinic to preserve deceased man's sperm in landmark ART Act case
In a case that could set a key precedent for posthumous reproductive rights in India, the Bombay High Court has directed the interim preservation of a deceased 21-year-old unmarried man's frozen semen sample. Justice Manish Pitale, presiding over a Single Bench, was hearing a petition filed by the man's mother and noted that the matter raised 'important questions' regarding the interpretation and application of the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 (ART Act). The petitioner moved the High Court after the fertility clinic refused to release her son's semen. She is seeking access to the sample to continue the family lineage, arguing that her son was the sole legal heir. Justice Pitale observed, 'This petition gives rise to important questions with regard to the manner in which the semen/gamete of a person is to be preserved after death, under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021 and the Rules framed thereunder. This becomes particularly significant in the present case, for the reason that the deceased, being the son of the petitioner, was unmarried at the time of his death.' The Court said that the petition requires detailed consideration but cautioned that if the semen is discarded during the pendency of the matter, the very purpose of the petition would be defeated. 'In view of the above, list for further consideration on July 30, 2025, High on Board. In the meanwhile, as an interim direction, the respondent No.2 (the clinic) is directed to ensure safe-keeping and storage of the frozen semen sample of the deceased, during the pendency of the present petition.' According to the mother, her son was diagnosed in 2023 with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer affecting bones. Before beginning chemotherapy, his oncologist had advised him to freeze his semen due to the potential impact on fertility. He subsequently deposited his sample at a fertility clinic in Mumbai. The consent form, the mother claims, gave only two options: discard upon death or hand over to a spouse. The son signed it without consulting his family. As he died unmarried and without a will on February 16, 2025, the clinic refused to release the sample. The mother requested that it be transferred to a Gujarat-based clinic but was informed that a court order was needed. She first approached the Maharashtra Public Health Department in March but received no response. She then appealed to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on April 28. On May 6, her grievance was formally rejected, prompting her to approach the High Court. The petition notes that there are no surviving male members in the family, as the father and uncles had passed away young. It also cites a dying wish conveyed by the son to his aunt — that his sperm be used to create children who could look after his mother and family. The petition asserts that 'the sperm constitutes property' and that 'parents are the legal heirs of their deceased son.'
