The Central Government has issued the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions 6th (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2023. This order was issued on 2nd November, 2023 and has come into force from 3rd November, 2023.
This order is designed to address challenges arising from the formation of State Allied and Healthcare Councils.
It may be recalled that the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 became effective on May 25, 2021. The Act mandated that every State Government must establish a State Council, known as the State Allied and Healthcare Council.
These councils play a pivotal role in regulating and overseeing the allied and healthcare professions, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The Councils were to be established within six months of the Act’s commencement, i.e. by 25th November, 2021.
However, due to various reasons, including ongoing elections and difficulties in finding experienced professionals in the specific categories required by the Act, many State Governments encountered obstacles in forming the State Allied and Healthcare Councils within the stipulated timeframe. Recognizing these challenges, the issued the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions 5th (Removal of Difficulties) Order, 2023, dated 18th May 2023. This order extended the period for formation of the councils to two years and six months from the date of the Act’s commencement, i.e. 25th November, 2023.
Now therefore, with the issuance of the present order, the Central Government further extends the timeline for the formation of the State Allied and Healthcare Councils. All State Governments and Union Territories are now required to constitute these councils within three years from the date of the commencement of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021. Hence, these councils must be constituted by 25th May, 2024.
This amendment is intended to provide flexibility to the State Governments and Union Territories in complying with the Act’s provisions, recognizing the practical difficulties they may face in meeting the earlier deadlines. It is expected to enable a smoother and more systematic establishment of the State Allied and Healthcare Councils and promote effective regulation of allied and healthcare professions.
