India, Sept. 14 -- The Haryana government has issued a policy directive allowing qualified doctors to set up nursing homes on both owned and leased residential plots in licensed private residential colonies, officials said.

The policy aims to prevent unregulated spread of nursing homes in private colonies and bring regulated healthcare facilities closer to residents, officials added.

A senior DTCP official said the permission to set up the facility will be given only to qualified doctors registered with the Indian Medical Association (IMA). In case of a leased property, the permission will remain co-terminus with the validity of the lease, he added.

According to the directive issued by the department of town and country planning (DTCP)...