Elders concerned over alleged corruption in MCI

Opposition today said the arrest of Medical Council of India President Ketan Desai has cast a "suspicion" in the functioning of the health ministry and brought in focus corruption in medical education.

Opposition today said the arrest of Medical Council of India President Ketan Desai has cast a "suspicion" in the functioning of the health ministry and brought in focus corruption in medical education.

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Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, Prabhat Jha (BJP) held the "entire UPA government guilty" for the corruption in MCI.

Questioning the appointment of Desai as MCI chief, he said the Delhi High Court in 2001 had held that he was involved in corrupt practices and should be removed and wanted to know who was behind his appointment.

Jha said that 300 colleges were given recognition during his tenure. "In our country there are more Ketan Desais than doctors," he said.

Seeking Prime Minister's intervention, D Raja (CPI) said MCI has come to be known as the "Most Corrupt Institution" of the country, amid shouting of "shame, shame" from opposition benches.

He said the government should have reacted with seriousness and added that its "tepid reaction" is raising suspicion on the health ministry.

Raja said the inquiry ordered was not enough and it was only an eyewash and was seen as an attempt to save the guilty.

He suggested that medical education should be expanded and efforts made to streamline regulatory bodies like MCI and Dental Council of India.

This was strongly objected by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy, who said the allegation was baseless.

Desai and two others were arrested last week.