Punjab health secretary Vinni Mahajan conducted a meeting on Clinical Establishment Bill at her office in Chandigarh on Saturday.   A press note issued on Sunday said a delegation led by Dr Manoj Sobti, president, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Punjab, met the committee nominated for discussion on the bill.

Dr Sobti said they submitted a memorandum and apprised the government of the difficulties that the medical fraternity and society would face on enacting this bill.

“The state government has opposed the bill in Vidhan Sabha,” he added.

Dr Sobti said, “This bill is merely overregulation, as all medical services are already regulated under the various existing Acts. It will also increase the cost of treatment to society manifold. This bill promotes corporate sector and will cause harassment to the medical professionals.”

The delegation suggested that government should make a detailed study of the available doctors and paramedical staff in the state before prescribing norms.

Dr Sarin, chairman of the committee, assured the delegation that they would send a copy of the bill to IMA, and the bill would be doctor friendly.

Former IMA state presidents Dr Yash Sharma, Dr Rakesh Vig, Dr GS Gill and members of Punjab Medical Council Dr Kulwant Singh and Dr Sunt Jindal, secretary, IMA, Punjab, were also present in the meeting.

Dr Sobti conveyed that a copy of the bill would be discussed at the State Council of the IMA.