WriteUps By Amritpal Singh
Dr.Amritpal Singh, Reader Dravyaguna, Shri Dhanwantry Ayurvedic College, Chandigarh-160046
INTRODUCTION
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University popularly known as B. R. Ambedkar Bihar University was separated from Patna University on 2nd January 1952. The Bihar University Act 1960 bifurcated University of Bihar into three separate entities, i.e. (1) Bihar University, Muzaffarpur (2) Ranchi University, Ranchi (3) Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur. Later The Bihar University Act 1961 paved the way for Bihar University and Magadh University. Again in 1973 the Bihar University separated into Bihar University in Muzaffarpur and Mithila University in Darbhanga. Once more in the year 1990 the Bihar University Muzaffarpur was separated into Bihar University, Muzaffarpur and J.P.University, Chapra.
Majority of the Ayurvedic, Homepathy and Unani Colleges in Bihar stare are affiliated to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur. Government Ayurvedc College Patna established in 1926 is one of the oldest Ayurvedic institutions in India was affiliated to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur and recently moved under umbrella of Aryabhatt Knowledge University, Patna.
AYUSH DEGREES
AYUSH degrees issued by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur are under three names
When it comes to the name of university/Institute in the second schedule of IMCC Act, 1970, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur has been mentioned in the list of recognized medical qualifications. Whereas actual name of the university printed on the degree is University of Bihar, Muzaffarpur. This discrepancy was noted by Central Council of Indian medicine while considering applications received from the practitioners of ISM for Central Registration Certificate that the names of the university are different from the schedules of IMCC Act, 1970. If there is any change in the name of the university, it should be notified for inclusion in the relevant schedules of IMCC Act, 1970.
Name of University of Bihar, Muzaffarpur has been included from 1973 to 1981 (GAMS) and 1981-1991 (BAMS). Changed name as Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur has been included from 1992 onwards but various degree certificates in the name of in the name of University of Bihar Muzaffarpur have been found issued even beyond 1991. Degree certificates haves been received in the name of Bihar Vishwavidyalaya have never be included in Schedules of IMCC Act, 1970.
Degrees in AYUSH, particularly in Ayurveda awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur have been under scanner on several occasions. M.D. (Ayurveda) Vachaspati qualification awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur was useless for employment and registration purpose until included in the 2nd schedule of IMCC Act, 1970 with issuance of gazette notification in 2016 despite initiation in session 1981-82. Another problem associated with M.D. (Ayurveda) Vachaspati qualification awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur is non-adherence to the degree nomenclature recommend by Central Council of Indian Medicine. Degrees issued without mention of specialty subject of post graduation are rejected out rightly during screening of the job application.
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur has been in limelight due to a reason or two. Discrepancy in BAMS/MD degrees awarded in different names of a university is a serious issue. During the process of initiation of inclusion of a degree in the 2nd schedule of IMCC Act, 1970 the affiliating university is required to submit degree specimen to Central Council of Indian Medicine. The executive committee of Central Council of Indian Medicine noted fallacies in the degrees awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur only in 2018. Changed name of the university from University of Bihar, Muzaffarpur to Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur has been included from 1992 onwards but various degree certificates in the name of University of Bihar, Muzaffarpur have been found issued even beyond 1991.
While pursuing BAMS/MD (Ay.) course, the students have direct link with the following:
After completion of the course including the internship, the student/practitioner has permanent connect with the following:
For enrolment in the State/Central register, the student/practitioner has to file application for obtaining permanent registration with requisite fee. Registrar office in this regard verifies the degree of award from the concerned college and affiliating university demanding copy of gazette notification of the result. An MD/MS qualification is dully inserted in the enrolment certificate under additional qualifications after specified procedure.
A Case study
The author of this article pursued postgraduate degree in Ayurveda from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur without knowing the fact that it was an unrecognized medical qualification. After three years of service in an Ayurvedic institution, the author has to resign as Central Council of Indian Medicine put objection on the unrecognized qualification. Also, the application of the author for the post of Scientist-2 was rejected by Mohali based National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research despite appointment as external faculty for teaching MS Pharm-Traditional Medicine course.
Here it is interesting to point out that author was appointed in an Ayurvedic institution in presence of expert from Central Council of Indian Medicine. It means that expert from Central Council of Indian Medicine was not aware about recognition status of MD (Ay.) degree awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur. The author took up the matter with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH and Central Council of Indian Medicine and the process of inclusion of MD (Ay.) degree awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur to the 2nd schedule of IMCC Act, 1970 was initiated and finally a gazette notification was released bringing MD (Ay.) degree awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur in the umbrella of recognized medical qualifications. On basis of this, the author got reemployment in Ayurvedic institution of resignation after four years.
In the above mentioned case study, unrecognized degree awarded by a university was the major issue. Either unrecognized degree or degree issued under three names by the same university is a serious and fatal lapse. Case study fixes responsibility of the concerned college, affiliating university and Central Council of Indian Medicine. The concerned college and the affiliating university never bothered to initiate the process of inclusion of MD (Ay.) degree awarded by Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur to the 2nd schedule of IMCC Act, 1970. As far as responsibility of Central Council of Indian Medicine is concerned, it has taken up the issue with Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur regarding unrecognized MD (Ay.) degree without any reply. However, Central Council of Indian Medicine approved the institute for admission.
Normally, the affiliating university writes to Ministry of AYUSH for initiation of the process of inclusion of any degree to the 2nd schedule of IMCC Act, 1970 for the purpose of recognized medical qualification. Finally, in consultation and recommendation with Central Council of Indian Medicine, the Ministry of AYUSH issues the gazette notification granting the awarded degree a recognized status for the purpose of job and registration in state and central register. The case study is an eye opener for whole of Ayurvedic fraternity.
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