MCI chief a victim of reforms?

NEW DELHI - Medical Council of India (MCI) chief Ketan Desai, arrested on corruption charges, may be a victim of the reforms that he has initiated to the dislike of many doctors and pharmaceutical firms, his close associates said Friday.

In the last few months, Desai has been in the news for various reforms - ranging from abolishing the “corrupt practice” of accepting gifts by doctors to introducing a truncated rural MBBS course for creating a cadre for rural India.

He has also written to pharmaceutical companies asking them to explain why they have sponsored foreign trips for scores of doctors.

“People don’t like me these days. I only say that those who are opposing me have not seen the problems faced by rural Indians,” Desai had told IANS on the sideline of an event in Delhi.

When contacted, a close friend of Desai said Friday that “he has been victimised for all the reforms”. “People do not want change. You know what kind of reforms he has introduced in last few months.”

“I believe, stopping doctors from receiving gifts and free hospitality, and introducing a rural MBBS course against the wish of many has gone against him,” the friend, who wished not to be named, told IANS.

Desai, arrested Thursday evening on corruption charges, was further interrogated Friday by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“Investigations are on, but we can’t provide further details,” CBI spokesman Harsh Bahl told IANS.

Desai was arrested along with two others, Jitendar Pal Singh and Kanwaljit Singh, Thursday night for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs.2 crore to grant recognition to a medical college in Punjab.

Another friend of Desai said that his proximity to health ministry was not going well with pharmaceutical companies and doctors association. It was also argued that Desai has managed to push forth many reforms in spite of hindrances “mainly because of the support of the ministry”.

“Some say that he has been charged with corruption case nearly a decade back but a court committee had found no irregularity in his functioning,” the friend added.

However, no one from MCI came forward to speak in favour of or against Desai on record.

When contacted, K.P. Mathur, an MCI member, told IANS: “I read about the incident in newspapers this (Friday) morning. I have no more information. You know as much as I know.”