The West Bengal Health Department has nominated three doctors to the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC), replacing government-nominated members in a move expected to reshape the state’s medical regulatory body. The appointments come amid ongoing controversies surrounding the council and follow the change in government in the state.
In a significant development, the West Bengal Health Department has nominated three doctors to the West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC), marking a major change in the composition of the state’s medical regulatory body.
The move marks the first time the state government has appointed new nominated members to the council after the BJP assumed power in West Bengal. Under the existing rules, the government is empowered to replace nominated members, while elected members can only be removed through fresh elections.
According to sources, Dr Pranat Tudu, MLA from Binpur, Dr Kalyan Ashis Mukherjee of the BJP’s state doctors’ cell, and Dr Mrinmoy Adhikary, Assistant Professor at Murshidabad Medical College, have been nominated to the council. They will replace doctors who were nominated by the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
The appointments come against the backdrop of controversies involving the West Bengal Medical Council during the previous administration. Some council members had faced allegations of corruption, while the recent WBMC elections were challenged before the court over alleged irregularities in the election process.
Soon after assuming office, the BJP-led state government had issued an administrative order terminating the tenure of three WBMC members who had been nominated during the previous government.
The latest nominations are expected to alter the representation within the West Bengal Medical Council, which is responsible for regulating medical practitioners, maintaining professional standards and overseeing medical ethics in the state.
Earlier, the council had also faced criticism from civil society groups. The People for Better Treatment (PBT), a social service organisation, had alleged that the WBMC was involved in unlawful and unethical activities and urged the Chief Minister and Health Minister to intervene. The organisation had also organised a public rally outside the council office demanding greater accountability.
