Pune: The state govt has issued a fresh resolution ordering Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to begin registrations of CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners in a “separate register.” Maharashtra chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has announced a complete withdrawal of medical services for 24 hours on Tuesday in response.
MMC has been ordered to form a committee to determine the competence, negligence-handling standard operating procedures and ethical framework related to homeopathy doctors.
The decisions come a day after homeopathy practitioners threatened to protest outside the Mantralaya on Tuesday.
On Monday evening, the govt issued a GR directing MMC to begin registration of CCMP-BHMS practitioners, confirmed MMC registrar Dr Rakesh Waghmare.
The GR said: “Amendments were made to the relevant laws in 2014, allowing the MMC to maintain a separate register for candidates who have passed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) and are otherwise qualified. It also notes that as per the high court’s interim order, CCMP-qualified candidates may be registered, subject to the final decision in writ petitions 7846/2014 and 7847/2014 (in the ongoing case).”
MMC administrator Dr Vinky Rughwani said, “The GR instructed MMC to begin registrations. We have also received IMA’s letter declaring a statewide withdrawal of medical services on Tuesday.”
Additionally, the GR said to form a six-member committee to look into competencies, negligence handling and ethical framework, said Rughwani. According to the GR, the committee would be chaired by the Medical Education and Research (MER) commissioner and include nominees of MER director and directorate of Ayush (homeopathy branch) director as technical members, registrars of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (Nashik) and Maharashtra Homeopathy Council (Mumbai) would be members, while MMC (Mumbai) registrar would be the member secretary. The committee has been ordered to submit its report and recommendations within one month.Meanwhile, IMA Maharashtra with support from Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), ASMI and specialty medical organisations has declared a 24-hour withdrawal of medical services.
IMA state president Dr Santosh Kulkarni said, “In 2025, the medical education minister had assured us that the govt would not proceed with the CCMP-BHMS registrations under MMC until the court decides on the matter. However, the govt has now issued fresh orders. The allopathy fraternity perceives the decision as compromising the standards, integrity and scientific foundation of modern medicine, with potentially serious long-term consequences for public health and patient safety.”
The IMA statement read: “Despite repeated communications to the concerned govt departments and ministry, including prior representations, letters and press conferences, the concerns raised by the medical fraternity have not been adequately addressed. Under the circumstances and being left with no other effective option, IMA Maharashtra has decided to undertake a stir in the larger interest of public health and to safeguard the standards of evidence-based modern medical practice. The protest will commence at 6am on Aug 4 and continue till 6am on Aug 5. The withdrawal of services shall continue indefinitely if registration starts.”
Maharashtra Council of Homeopathy administrator Dr Bahubali Shah said, “The GR ordered MMC to begin registration with immediate effect, subject to the ongoing court case. The MMC can convey to us if there are any technical difficulties to begin registrations. The IMA is a private organisation and MMC must not consider their threats at a time when the govt has issued clear instructions.”
Resident doctors threaten statewide strike from tomorrow
Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) submitted a final representation to CM Devendra Fadnavis, urging immediate intervention to halt the proposed MMC registration of CCMP-certified BHMS practitioners until the court delivered its final verdict and to resolve the long-pending issues of resident doctors.
Central MARD released a statement that read: “Despite repeated meetings and representations, no concrete action has been taken. Consequently, Central MARD has announced a statewide democratic withdrawal of routine medical services from Aug 5. Emergency, casualty and all life-saving services will continue during the initial 24 hours in the interest of patient care, after which the future course of action will depend on the govt’s response.”
Central MARD has appealed to the govt to initiate immediate dialogue and resolve issues.
