CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday vehemently opposed the National Commission for Human Resources for Health Bill, which has been referred by the Rajya Sabha to the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.“The NCHRH Bill usurps the powers of the States in the critical area of health human resources by creating new structures which hit at the very root of federalism,” the Chief Minister said in her letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. She said the new Bill effectively puts the leadership and decision-making process with regard to medical, dental and paramedical education in the hands of about 25 persons—all Central government nominees. “This undermines the powers of the State governments, which are left with no role to play in policy issues related to health manpower planning, curriculum and course design as well as approval of new institutions offering courses in medicine and allied disciplines,” the CM pointed out. Stating that need-based planning for medical, dental and paramedical manpower should follow regional and local demands, she added: “This would best be achieved only by giving adequate representation to the States in policy making bodies.”Jayalalithaa said the status quo may be maintained with regard to the functioning of the existing National and State Councils. These may be strengthened and improved with increased participation of the State governments at the level of the National Council.
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