The Hindu : New Delhi News : Anbumani forced to withdraw JIPMER Bill

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Thursday, Dec 06, 2007
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Anbumani forced to withdraw JIPMER Bill

Special Correspondent

CPI(M) wanted amendment on fee structure incorporated

Bill sent back to Cabinet
Embarrassing situation, says Dasmunsi

NEW DELHI: In a major embarrassment, the Opposition joined hands in the Rajya Sabha, forcing Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss to withdraw the Jawaharlal Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, Bill 2007 after the CPI (M) pressed for a specific amendment.

Trouble arose after Brinda Karat (CPI-M) pressed for amendments to certain clauses of the Bill, and made it clear that her party would support it only if those amendments were included.

She wanted an amendment to be incorporated in the Bill that the existing fee structure would not be altered.

Dr. Anbumani expressed his inability to carry the necessary amendment and make it a part of the Act, but promised to incorporate it in the rules.

“The Bill cannot have a provision for fixed fee structure and such a scheme can be incorporated only in the rules,” Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said in his reply to the debate on the Bill.

The Health Minister requested Ms. Karat to take back her amendment and let the Bill be passed as her other demands — deletion of a clause providing for imposition of penalty on the staff without giving them a chance for hearing; maintain status quo on reservation; and free of cost treatment to the poor — had been accepted.

If Ms. Karat pressed for the amendment he would have to take the Bill back to the Cabinet, Dr. Anbumani said. Ms. Karat stood her ground and said she would not withdraw the amendment on fee structure.

BJP member S.S. Ahluwalia said his party would press for a division if the Government refused to accept the amendment.

“In such a situation I will take the Bill back to the Cabinet,” Dr. Anbumani remarked.

The House, by a voice vote, endorsed the move to send back the Bill to the Cabinet much to the embarrassment of the treasury benches.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.R. Dasmunsi said this was the first time that a Bill, after scrutiny by the Parliamentary Standing Committee and the Cabinet, was being sent back for reconsideration.

“If the Cabinet agrees to the amendment, it will be brought back to Parliament. It is very unfortunate and an embarrassing situation for the Government as the Congress does not have the numbers on its side to get the Bill through in the Upper House,” he said.

Earlier, piloting the Bill, Dr. Anbumani said the Bill was necessary to provide autonomy and improve facilities at the Institute, which was founded as an institution of excellence.

“We will safeguard the reservation policy and, like the AIIMS and PGI Chandigarh, poor patients will be treated free of cost.”

Funds needed to upgrade and fill 50-60 per cent vacancies in the premier institute would be provided and employees given one year to exercise the option between the existing structure and the new one, he said.

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