Insertion of a new section 17A

Insertion of a new section 17A.—After section 17 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted: "17A. Practice on submission of self-certification.-

1. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, any medical practitioner whose name is validly entered in the National Medical Register or any other State Medical Register, shall be entitled to practice medicine in the State of Bihar without requiring fresh local registration or a No Objection Certificate
   • (NOC) from their previous State Medical Council, Provided they submit a self-certification to the Council.
2. (2) The Council shall maintain a register of medical practitioners practicing in the State on the basis of self-certification.
3. (3) The Council shall have the power to suspend the right to practice within the State of Bihar for any practitioner operating under the self-certification model who is found guilty of professional misconduct. Such suspension shall be marked in the register maintained under sub-section (2) of this section and shall be immediately communicated to the concerned State Medical Council or National Medical Commission for appropriate action.
4. (4) Any medical practitioner lawfully practicing in the State under the self-certification provisions of this section shall be treated as a registered practitioner for the purposes of Section 30 and Section 31 of this Act."