KATHMANDU, Jan 8: Despite severe criticism from various quarters over Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences Bill-2015 tabled in parliament, the government has not taken initiatives to withdraw the contentious bill.
Dr Govinda KC, a senior professor at the Institute of Medicine (IoM), has threatened to launch fresh hunger strike if the bill is not withdrawn by Monday afternoon. Dr KC, who has already staged fast-unto-death seven times in the past, had earlier given ultimatum of Sunday to fulfill his demands, that include withdrawn of the bill.
"I will wait until Monday afternoon and then start hunger strike," Dr KC told Republica. He said that the ball is in the government's court, because the government itself was responsible for presenting the controversial bill in parliament.
"The government can withdraw the bill if it wants," added.
On the other hand, the government has not taken Dr KC's warning seriously.
Shanta Bahadur Shrestha, secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) said he is unaware about any preparations by the government to withdraw the bill. "A cabinet meeting can decide the fate of the bill," said Shrestha.
Parliament spokesman Bharat Raj Gautam said the government has not done anything toward withdrawing the bill. "If the government wants to withdraw it, then a cabinet meeting should make a request to parliament in writing," said Gautam.
General public, academicians, legal experts as well as former health minister from CPN-UML, Khagaraj Adhikari, have criticized the bill. Legal experts said that the bill is full of errors and contradicts the rule of law.
Professor Kedar Bhakta Mathema, who is vehemently opposed to the bill, has asked the government to avoid withdraw the bill and fulfill the commitments it made to Dr KC. "Wrongdoing from any side must be stopped," said Mathema, adding that the government has been trying to pass contentious bill from the parliament and formed a medical education commission at the same time.
Professor Mathema along with other academicians have met with former Prime Minister Puspa Kamal Dahal, former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, chief whips of major political parties like NC, CPN-UML, UCPN (Maoist), and discussed with them about the negative consequences of the controversial bill.
He said that the government should either prove the Mathema Commission's report wrong or stop unlawful activity. He said that he will request Dr KC not to resume hunger strike.
Mathema-led taskforce has recommended the government not to give affiliation to any new medical colleges for next year.
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