Sunday, January 31, 2016

assistant medical officers for Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy, 4,963 posts

TNPSC to fill 10,026 vacancies this year  -------TheHindu CHENNAI, January 30, 2016


These include 4,513 posts for which exams were not conducted last year due to rains and floods.


The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission will conduct exams to fill around 10,026 posts notified by the government for 2016-2017. These include 4,513 posts for which exams were not conducted last year due to rains and floods.

Awaiting notification

The TNPSC is awaiting the notification for as many as 5,513 vacancies in various categories.

Around 4,931 vacancies in various departments are expected to be notified beginning February first week, said its chairman K. Arulmozhi, who released the recruitment plan report on Friday.

The vacancies are in Group IV services and for posts including block health statistician, jailor and assistant jailor, librarian and research officer and assistants in various departments.

Vacancies for CCSE (Group II services - interview posts), VAO vacancies and CCSE II (Group IIA services non-interview post) are also expected. Exams would be conducted to fill 29 deputy collector posts, 122 vacancies for block health statistician, 65 assistant jailor posts and seven jailor posts.

For the first time this year, it will conduct exams for the posts of tourist officer (five) and deputy manager (12) for ELCOT following a request from the government.

Exam for VAOs
The results of the examinations are expected to be released between the fourth week of February and the fourth week of June.

The exam for VAOs will be held on February 28 and for research assistant in evaluation for which there are 14 vacancies, the exam will be held on March 6.

Since October 14 last, the results for exams conducted to fill 6,054 vacancies had been released.

These include assistant medical officers for Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy, 4,963 posts in group IV services and 203 vacancies in the Highways department, Dr. Arulmozhi said.

Details available online

The details of the posts and the date of exam and results are available on the commission’s webs


Saturday, January 30, 2016

AYUSH doctors seek jobs

AYUSH doctors seek jobs in national mission
National » Andhra Pradesh
Updated: January 29, 2016 05:48 IST( The Hindu)

The unemployed AYUSH graduates from the State have requested the Centre to take up recruitment of medical officers to be posted under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM).

In a representation to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Andhra Pradesh AYUSH Doctors Association has requested him to direct the state government to utilise the funds earmarked for AYUSH department for the purpose only, without any diversion. He faulted the state Government for putting a halt on recruitment of AYUSH doctors under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) project.

Alleging ‘step-motherly treatment’, the body pointed to the state government’s failure to launch the central scheme Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). “The scheme was launched in all states except Andhra Pradesh. Even Telangana started it recently”, said its general secretary S. Kedarnath, in the representation.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

amend D&C Rules of AYUSH

Ayush ministry to amend D&C Rules to mandate clear cut shelf life for all Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani drugs

Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Thursday, January 28, 2016, 08:00 Hrs  [IST]  (PhamaBizz.com)

The Union ministry of Ayush is considering certain strict mandates with regards to the shelf life/date of expiry of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) drugs, for which the ministry is going ahead with plans for amending the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

After the amendment, the clauses stating expiry dates of ASU drugs in D&C Rules, 1945, will be known as ‘the Drugs and Cosmetics (seventh amendment ) Rules, 2015’. In it, the rule 161-B will be substituted as, ‘161B, shelf life or date of expiry of medicines’.
The sub rule 161 B will be applicable for granting licence or renewal of licence for manufacturing after the date of notification of the rules. It is expected that it will come in force from the date of their final publication in the official gazette. The draft of the rules was published on November 24, 2015 for discussion among the stakeholders.

The published draft rules mandate that there should be clear cut expiry dates for all ASU drugs, and after the prescribed date of expiry, no licensed ASU medicine can be marketed, sold or distributed. Further, the date of expiry of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines should be conspicuously displayed on the label of the container or the package.
The sub rule will seek the scientific data based shelf life or date of expiry of the medicines based on the studies of medicines in accordance with the guidelines prescribed in the Ayurvedic, Siddha or Unani pharmacopoeia. This scientific data should be submitted to the state licensing authority (SLA) by the person applying for licence or renewal of licence for the manufacturing of ASU medicines defined under clause (h) of section 3 of the Act. However, this sub rule will be applicable after three years from the date of notification of the rules, according to sources from the Ayush ministry.

The SLA, before granting licence or renewal of licence, has to ensure the validity of the data submitted by the manufacturer in support of the claimed shelf life of his medicine. The SLA has the right to ask for samples of medicines and any other related information from the manufacturer at any time, and can share it with the pharmacopoeial laboratory for Indian medicine, Ghaziabad, for analysis or independent validation.

On failure of providing the details by the manufacturer, the SLA can suspend the manufacturing licence.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

zika virus = 2016 virus

The Zika virus — the latest health scare to grip the planet — came to prominence in 2015 when pregnant Brazilian women infected with the virus gave birth to babies with abnormally small heads that are normally associated with incomplete brain development (also called microcephaly). While the virus, at present, is being detected primarily in Latin America, it appears India may not be as safe as hoped. According to India Today, India has been free of this virus for over 60 years, and that traces of Zika were last seen in 1952-53.
However, Hindustan Times reported that the Union health ministry is procuring testing kits to detect the virus, which is spread by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito — the same vector that spreads dengue and chicken guinea. "The government is also writing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to know more about the infection and prepare accordingly,” the report quoted a senior official from the Zoonosis unit of the Union health ministry as saying. Furthermore, the report added that the ministry is putting together protocols to track the 'sudden rise' of birth defects across the country.
With the Brazil emerging as the epicentre of the Zika crisis, the 2016 Rio Olympics are turning into a source of some concern. The Times of India quoted physician Dr Pratit Samdani who said that considering the fact that people "travel across countries a lot" — particularly those planning summer holidays with the Rio Olympics in mind — it would not be too surprising "if we suddenly got a case of Zika in India".

But it's not all doom and gloom for Indians. After all, there's a chance that we're already have an immunity (cross-reactive immunity, to be precise) and we just didn't know it.

The Indian Express quoted Dr Lalit Dar, professor of microbiology at Aiims as saying “When the proteins of the virus are similar, so are the antibodies that develop against them. Since Indians are exposed to all four strains of dengue circulating in the atmosphere since birth, the body develops antibodies against them. Since Zika virus is similar in composition, these antibodies may be cross reactive with the Zika virus.”

What do we know about the virus?

First in Africa: Aedes aegypti is a small, dark, hot-weather mosquito with white markings and banded legs. Scientists believe the species originated in Africa, but came to the Americas on slave ships. It's continued to spread through shipping and airplanes. Now it's found through much of the world, including the southern United States.

Once yellow fever mosquito: Early in the 20th century, scientists showed it was the engine behind devastating yellow fever outbreaks. It became known as the yellow fever mosquito, although that name has been used less often since a successful vaccine was developed against yellow fever. Since then, it's also been identified as a carrier for other tropical illnesses such as dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika fever. Scientists are investigating whether other types of mosquitoes are spreading Zika in Latin America and the Caribbean, too.

A city-dweller: Aedes aegypti is the primary spreader of Zika and some other tropical diseases, largely because of its unusually cozy relationship with people. While other species thrive in more rural areas, or at least in parks and gardens, this is a domesticated species - sort of a housecat mosquito - accustomed to living in apartment buildings and city centers. It prefers biting people to animals and likes to feed indoors, during daylight hours. Also, it is a hardy bug that can be particularly challenging to get rid of.

Killed off, but it came back: In the early 20th century, many countries developed programs to destroy all Aedes aegypti mosquitoes through spraying chemicals and other measures. By 1970, it was eradicated from much of South America — including Brazil. But many mosquito-control programs were cut back. Reasons included budget cuts, and concerns about the use of some insecticides, and the yellow fever vaccine made the mosquito's elimination less critical. The species roared back. It played a key role in the reemergence of dengue fever in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the recent spread of chikungunya and Zika virus.

Going for blood: Female mosquitoes drink human blood for nutrients used in making eggs. After a female bites an infected person, it can spread the virus through its saliva to its next human victim. Some scientists think Zika may have arrived in Brazil in 2014, carried by visitors attending World Cup soccer games. Perhaps one or more infected visitors were bitten by mosquitoes and started the chain reaction, said Jeffrey Powell, a Yale University mosquito expert who works in Brazil.
Brazil....The mosquito-spread Zika virus appeared in Brazil last year and officials say hundreds of thousands of people apparently have been infected. Authorities soon saw what appears to be a sharp jump in cases of microcephaly — children born with unusually small heads — and investigators are scrambling to determine if the two are linked. Officials said Wednesday they've found 4,180 suspected cases of microcephaly since late October, though only 270 of those so far have been confirmed.



Colombia: Over 16,419 confirmed or suspected cases of Zika, including 1090 pregnant women. Of the total, only 798 have been confirmed by blood tests. President Juan Manuel Santos said the virus could hit as many as 600,000 people this year. Health authorities say one case of microcephaly and 12 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome are suspected to be linked to Zika.

Venezuela: Officials decline to issue guidelines about Zika or release epidemiological data, but have confirmed the virus is in Venezuela. Non-governmental organizations say that the country saw more than 400,000 unusual cases of acute fever in the second half of 2015 that may have been Zika. The country has not seen microcephaly or Guillan-Barre with suspected links to Zika.

Caribbean nations: The Caribbean island nations have had a couple of hundred suspected cases of Zika, the majority of them in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. There have been at least 19 laboratory-confirmed cases in Puerto Rico and at least 10 in the neighboring Dominican Republic. The majority of those in the U.S. territory are believed to be locally contracted. Haiti has reported at least five confirmed cases and the U.S. Virgin Islands at least one. Regional officials so far have not reported any suspected microcephaly or Guillain-Barre cases linked to Zika.

Ecuador: 33 reported Zika cases, 17 of them confirmed by laboratory tests. No cases of microcephaly or Guillain-Barre suspected of being linked to Zika.

Bolivia: Four confirmed cases of Zika, including three who caught it in Brazil and one locally infected pregnant woman

El Salvador: 2,474 suspected cases of Zika, 122 of which were pregnant women.

Honduras: At least 1,000 cases reported since mid-December, including two people with Guillain-Barre syndrome possibly linked to Zika.

Guatemala: 68 confirmed cases of Zika.

Mexico: 18 confirmed cases of locally acquired Zika; no cases of microcephaly or Guillain-Barre suspected of being linked to Zika.

Panama: 42 cases of Zika, including one pregnant woman. No cases of microcephaly or Guillain-Barre suspected of being linked to Zika.

Costa Rica: One case, acquired in Colombia.

Nicaragua: Two cases.

You can find out more about the Zika virus here.

With inputs from AP


 

Friday, January 22, 2016

Homeopathy has over?


Does  homoeopathy  work?



Author decodes alternative medicine system whose usefulness researchers have questioned for years

Shivam Saini
January 21, 2016 Last Updated at 17:35 IST   (Business Standard)


 Developed in the late 18th century by German doctor Samuel Hahnemann, homoeopathy is based on two principles, both of which bear little scientific evidence


Two weeks ago, Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan reportedly dismissed homoeopathy — along with astrology — as being “harmful and bogus”. Ramakrishnan, an Indian-born American and British structural biologist, was delivering a lecture titled “On Nobody’s Word: Evidence and Modern Science” at Panjab University in Chandigarh. Hindustan Times quoted him as saying: “No one in chemistry believes in homoeopathy. It works on placebo effect.”

In his dismissal of the 200-year-old system of medicine, Ramakrishnan questioned a belief system that has a huge following not only in India but across the world. According to a report in Business Standard, globally, more than 600 million people use homoeopathy; of this, about 100 million are Indians. In India alone, there are more than 200,000 practitioners of homoeopathy.

The AYUSH (ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, homoeopathy) ministry, established in 2014, has a dedicated body for research in homoeopathy. Given the high cost of allopathic treatment and the side effects that accompany evidence-based modern medicine, Indians often turn to the scientifically unproven, though mild and relatively inexpensive, homoeopathic treatment that claims to “treat” conditions, ranging from respiratory problems to mental health conditions.

The ‘science’ behind it

Developed in the late 18th century by German doctor Samuel Hahnemann, homoeopathy is based on two principles, both of which bear little scientific evidence. One, homoeopathic practitioners believe that “like cures like”, which simply means that a substance that could cause certain symptoms in a healthy person could, in minute doses, relieve the same symptoms in a sick person. For instance, peeling an onion triggers runny nose and watery eyes — symptoms that are often found in a person suffering from common cold. Homoeopaths claim that such symptoms could be treated by Allium cepa, a medicine prepared from red onions.

The second principle on which homoeopathy works involves diluting a substance — plant, animal material or chemical — rigorously in water or alcohol, so much so that only some or no traces of the actual substance remain. Homoeopathic practitioners, however, believe that the more a substance is diluted, the greater is its power to treat the symptoms.

Is it effective?

“They (homoeopaths) take arsenic compounds and dilute it to such an extent that just a molecule is left. It will not have any effect on you. Your tap water has more arsenic,” Ramakrishnan was quoted as saying. And there is scientific evidence to back his views. In 2015, in one of the most extensive studies on homoeopathy to date, the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia reviewed more than 170 research papers on the alternative system of medicine to conclude that there is no reliable evidence that homoeopathy is effective for treating health conditions. A 2005 Lancet study found that “the clinical effects of homoeopathy are placebo effects”.

Critics often question a basic principle underlying homoeopathy called “water memory”, or the supposed ability of water to remember the shape of the substance it contained, even though none of the molecules may have been left after multiple dilutions. A 2010 report on homoeopathy by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee said: “We consider the notion that ultra-dilutions can maintain an imprint of substances previously dissolved in them to be scientifically implausible.”

However, homoeopaths believe that the focus on “water memory” is overblown.

“All homoeopathy is not non-molecular,” says Raj Kumar Manchanda, director-general at the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, an autonomous organisation under the AYUSH ministry. “It is only when, in certain cases, low potencies are not effective that you might have to go for higher potencies. So, seventy to eighty per cent of combinations are as molecular as any other allopathic or ayurvedic or traditional drug. It is only twenty to twenty five per cent that are non-molecular.”

Manchanda — as do others who swear by homoeopathy — cites a study by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay that found that homoeopathic medicines do contain medicinal molecules in nano sizes even after high dilutions.
However, there is little research to suggest whether the medicines really work.

“Claiming that homoeopathy is therapeutic without research is not right,” says B Dinesh Kumar, president of the Indian Pharmacological Society. “There is a need for validation of homoeopathy as a system of medicine.”

Limitations

Manchanda says that homoeopathy works well in most sub-acute and chronic cases. However, he advises against the use of homoeopathic medicines in acute and life-threatening conditions. Since homoeopathic remedies are believed to stimulate the body’s immune system so that the body heals on its own, in acute cases “the body’s immune mechanism sometimes doesn’t have enough time to react,” says Manchanda.

He even recommends the use of allopathic medicine when the “infection is severe” and following it up with homoeopathy in the long run, since it has no known side-effects.

It is not that homeopathy is without risks, though. In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration ordered that Zicam, a homeopathic cold remedy, be pulled off the shelves after it found that, in 130 cases, people had reported losing their sense of smell.

According to Manchanda, however, homoeopathic medicines are incapable of causing any damage. "It is possible that after giving homoeopathic medicine you may not improve, but it is not possible that it will cause any harm,” he adds.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The collaboration of allopathy and traditional medicine



Business Standard Delhi
January 19, 2016 Last Updated at 20:20 IST

Shri J P Nadda felicitates 43 scientists for their contribution in Biomedical Research
Science should reach to all those places and people who need it the most: J P Nadda

Our PM has a vision that the fruits of science should reach the poorest, the vulnerable and to the remotest areas of the country and we must ensure science reaches to all those places and people who need it the most." This was stated by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare while felicitating 43 scientists for their work in communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health and various other medical and biomedical fields, here today. He further added, I find health research an invaluable ally in governance and development."

Shri Nadda also asked ICMR to list out at least 10 major pressing challenges in the field of healthcare in India and find out the local solutions of those challenges. These suggestions will enable healthcare to become holistic and truly meaningful, he said. Highlighting the importance of such awards, the Health Minister said: The awards will boost the morale of the recipients and inspire other scientists to consistently work towards making innovations more affordable." Announcing collaboration with AYUSH Ministry in biomedical research, Shri Nadda said, We have a vast traditional knowledge and this needs to be incorporated in a holistic manner." He stated that as opposed to working in silos, Ministries should collaborate and work together. He also urged ICMR to go for cutting edge research and attract the best talent in the country which would be dedicated to research. He added that research should focus in increasing access to healthcare and in making innovations affordable to those who need them the most.

Shri Nadda stated that researchers are silent workers who go into the depth of the matter with utmost patience. He congratulated the recipients in various fields.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, DG, ICMR and Secretary, Dept. of Health Research stated that ICMR will now work with AYUSH Ministry to harness the rich knowledge of traditional medicine systems. The collaboration of allopathy and traditional medicine systems will be vastly beneficial to people, she said.

ICMR offers array of awards in biomedical sciences. Majority of the awards are annual while few are being given on alternate years. In addition to the awards given for meritorious work carried out by scientists in a particular field of science, there are number of awards to recognize and adorn the scientific talent of young scientists. There are specific awards to encourage the scientists working in the underdeveloped parts of the country and also the scientists belonging to the underprivileged communities and championing the cause of their section of the society. An exclusive award is also given to women scientists to acknowledge their contribution. This time 15 women scientists were awarded for their scientific work.

Also present on the occasion were Shri Ajit Sharan, Secretary AYUSH, Lt. Gen B K Chopra, Dr M C Mishra, Director AIIMS, New Delhi.





Friday, January 15, 2016

1.2 lakh Ayush clinics to be set up in villages

DNA Thu, 14 Jan 2016-08:15am , New Delhi
1.2 lakh Ayush primary health clinics to be set up in villages
The task force in its report has proposed a formal syllabus for yoga training

As a part of Prime Minister's health for all scheme, Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) is planning to set up a network of 1.2 lakh primary health clinics across the country.

Due to lack of facilities and inaccessible locations have made MBBS doctors reluctant to work in rural areas. As there are 1.2 villages which lack health care centres, the ministry plans to prepare a fleet of ayurvedic doctors to fill these gaps. The ministry in a report prepared has suggested of setting up ayurveda colleges across the country.

A few months after getting a ministry status in November 2014, a task force under National Ayush mission was constituted with Dr HR Nagendra of S Vyasa Yoga University, Bengaluru as head, to suggest ways for making Ayush accessible to the rural India. The committee was to prepare a report to promote ayurveda and other Indian forms of medicine and make health care accessible to rural population.

Soon after the International Yoga Day celebration last year, PMO had written to the ministry to regulate yoga and naturopathy as formal courses. "It was recommended that a formal syllabus be drafted and
recognised for yoga and naturopathy. We are working on it. The project is in the pipeline. Uniform guidelines will be announced soon," said a member of the committee.

Currently, India has about 305 ayurveda colleges that produce 12,265 graduates each year. Besides 1,851 unani and 420 siddha graduates pass out every year. Unlike the allopathic practitioners, this sector is comparatively less organised. But the ministry has now proposed to integrate it into the mainstream. "Our graduates are well versed with anatomy and human physiology. If they are taught basic surgical processes, they can work very well in the primary health care, community health care and district health care center. They can also work to provide emergency medical solutions. A course module needs to be designed for the ayurveda practitioners, where they can earn credits by doing these courses," said a member of the committee. The committee also feels that the unani practitioners can also be trained for this task.

While the government has made it mandatory for all MBBS practitioners to serve in a rural posting for a year, the doctors have found an escape route. In this scenario to ensure that basic primary health
care facility reaches every village of this country, the ministry is looking up to Ayush practitioners.

The task force report also insist on encouraging research in the Indian forms of medicines. "Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy has a direct connect with our lifestyle. Though we have a rich history and
ample literature, our research has failed to keep pace with our changing lifestyle. We have insisted on encouraging research work," said a member of the Central Council of Indian Medicine.
Recommendations Ministry of AYUSH to integrate allopathic and traditional forms of medicine I haven't got Nobel Prize because I am black: Baba Ramdev Bombay HC asks Railways to put up barricades at stations to stop accidents Maharashtra government mulls overs a homoeopathy research centre


Sources in the ministry informed that the report is currently being vetted by Niti Ayog. "We are hoping that Ayush will get a boost in the upcoming budget," said a practitioner, who was a part of the 20 member committee.


PM Modi's efforts got Yoga internationally recognised: AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik
Promote 'Yoga culture' in Andhra Pradesh, CM Chandrababu Naidu directs officials




interdisciplinary Ayush researchers--IDAR

 Interdisciplinary Ayush researchers want priority in appointment as research officers under Ayush ministry
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
Friday, January 15, 2016, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

Expecting more activities from the Union ministry of Ayush (MoA) towards promotion and globalisation of Ayush systems, the post graduates in traditional medicines with higher education in basic medical sciences and engaged in researches (interdisciplinary Ayush researchers--IDAR) have demanded that they should be given preference for appointment as research officers (RO) in various departments under the Ayush ministry.

With this request, the IDAR fellows will shortly approach the MoA urging it to set aside the posts of ROs under Ayush ministry only for the interdisciplinary graduates.

At the outset, the ministry of Ayush should instruct the Central Research Councils (CCRA, CCRS, CCRU, CCRH, CCRN) to prepare such a list of IDARs in order to utilise their potentials whenever required. The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) should allow such researchers to register their higher education in modern medicine with the Council. Several Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy and Naturopathy graduates and post graduates have pursued higher education in basic medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology, epidemiology, biostatistics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology etc. But either the CCIM or the Research Councils have no list of these interdisciplinary graduates. The CCIM should enlist them under a separate register as ‘interdisciplinary Ayush researchers’, said the IDAR fellows.

Further, they said it would be a better tool for the Ayush ministry to highlight the interdisciplinary approach in the national and international level as part of ‘globalisation of Ayush and digital India’ programme of the Narendra Modi government.

Currently, neither the Ayush ministry nor the CCIM has a specific project for utilising the potential of these Ayush graduates who have additional qualifications in modern medical sciences. The CCIM has also not even enrolled them in their list. If they are enlisted, the ministry can take the list of such candidates from the central council whenever required.

“The interdisciplinary Ayush researchers have knowledge in both the systems, their positive and negative sides. They are sure where the amendments/modifications are to be made or required, how to proceed the research in traditional medicines, how to globalise the Ayush systems etc. They are the better people who can decode traditional medicine into the current scientific language. They have combined knowledge in traditional medicines and modern medical sciences and they could be the best choice for research officers under the Ayush ministry”, commented a senior siddha research officer who had secured higher education in pharmacology of the modern medical science.

(PHARMABIZ.com)
 

Monday, January 11, 2016

All India Institute of Unani Medicine in 2016?

Paucity of land stalls Ayush Ministry’s key projects
The Pioneer  Monday, 11 January 2016 | PNS | New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have been pushing for traditional Indian medicine including Yoga as a global heritage, but back home major ambitious national projects such as All India Institute of Yoga, All India Institute of Homoeopathy, Homoeopathic Medicines Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, Pharmacovigilance, initiative for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) drugs, and National Institute of Medicinal Plants have remained non-starter due to paucity of land.

As a result, fund which the Ayush Ministry had sought for commencing these institutes in the last two years had to be surrendered to the Finance Ministry, noted a Parliamentary panel which has taken a strong view in the matter.

It has slammed the Ayush Ministry for making unrealistic projection of fund requirements without obtaining necessary approvals for implementation of the projects.

“For example, a sum of Rs4 crore and Rs25 crore had been proposed in budget estimates (BE) 2013-14 and BE 2014-15 respectively under the head All India Institute of Unani Medicine. But the Ministry spent a meager Rs20 lakhs in 2013-14 while the entire budgeted funds for 2014-15 had to be surrendered due to non-approval of the project.

“What is alarming is that this is not the only example of surrender of the entire budgeted funds. Similar is the case with quite a few other projects…” said the panel led by Rajya Sabha MP Ram Gopal Yadav in its report tabled in Parliament recently.

The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that the Ministry should ensure that all pre-approval formalities are completed before budget allocations are proposed and realistic financial outlays are earmarked for the above projects/schemes. There is no point in making ritualistic allocations which remain on paper only,” said the report.

The Government said that the location for establishment of proposed National Institute of Medicinal Plants is being finalized while though All India Institute of Unani Medicine project had to be completed during Twelfth Plan Period, it could not take shape as per expectation for want of identification of land for establishing the Institute.

“Now, land for its establishment has been identified and project consultant has been selected for preparation of DPR and monitoring the project progress, said the government in its reply.

The Government has deferred setting up All India Institute of Yoga for now as land could not be identified for the project while land for All India Institute for Homeopathy has been identified and is action is underway to take its possession from the DDA.