Ministry: 
Health
  • The Indian Medicine Central Council (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on May 6, 2010.  The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, which is scheduled to submit its report within two months. 
  • The Bill seeks to amend the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970, which created a central council to regulate ayurveda, siddha, and unani medicine, set minimum standards for education, and maintain a register of all practitioners in these fields.
  • The Bill seeks to include the Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine practiced in the sub-Himalayan region within the definition of Indian medicine.
  • Currently, the council has members from states with registered ayurveda, siddha, and unani practitioners, a representative from each university, and centrally appointed members with specialized knowledge.  The Bill seeks to include registered practitioners of Sowa-Rigpa in the Council.