SC sets up RM Lodha Panel to oversee functions of Medical Council of India

 The Supreme Court has appointed a three-member high-powered committee headed by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) RM Lodha to oversee the functions of the Medical Council of India (MCI).

•  Ruling in this regard was given by the SC Bench comprising Justices Anil R Dave, A K Sikri, R K Agrawal, Adarsh K Goel and R Banumathi.

About the Panel :

• Other two members of the panel are Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Dr SK Sareen, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences. 
• The committee is tasked to oversee all statutory functions under the Medical Council of India (MCI), Act.
• The committee will function till the Union Government puts in place a new mechanism for regulation by bringing a new legislation or amending the statute. 
• SC Ruling MCI had repeatedly failed in its duties and the quality of medical education in the country was at its lowest ebb. 
• The regulator is often been accused of indulging in corrupt practices and referred it to reports of a government panel and a parliamentary standing committee.
•  It was not able to spearhead any serious reforms in medical education and neither represented the professional excellence nor its ethos.

Medical Council of India (MCI) :

• The Medical Council of India (MCI) is the statutory body for establishing uniform and high standards of medical education in India. 
• The Council grants recognition of medical qualifications, gives accreditation to medical schools, grants registration to medical practitioners, and monitors medical practice in India. 
• The current President of MCI is Dr. Jayshreeben Mehta.