HP to focus on herbal cultivation

Shimla, Jun 26 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Health and Ayurveda Minister Rajeev Bindal today stressed the need for promoting herbal cultivation in the state for generating employment opportunities for the youths.

"In this connection Swami Ramdev had already had discussions with the officers of forest, agriculture, horticulture and ayurveda and he is keen to purchase herbal medicines, including Ghritkumari, Chhota Amla, Amrita etc. at remunerative rates," said Mr Bindal after launching a state-level campaign on 'Geriatric Health Care Through Ayurveda'.

In the two day seminar, representatives of AYUSH Departments of Union Ministry of Health, eminent resource persons, Ayurveda officers and Chief Medical Officers from all over the state are participating.

The Health Minister said that health care facilities were being provided through 1200 ayurvedic health institutions in the state and added that Paprola Ayurvedic College was being upgraded to 200 bedded hospital.

He also informed that an ayurvedic university would be established in the state.

He directed Principal Secretary and Director Ayurveda to ensure active participation of ayurvedic doctors in the implementation of all national health programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Surender Kumar, Advisor to Central Government said that Rs 5 crore grant-in-aid had been provided to Paprola College whereas Rs 18 crore had been allocated under National Rural Health Mission and Rs 10 crore had been sanctioned for establishing ayurvedic university in the state.

He also informed that to upgrade 25 bedded ayurvedic hospitals a sum of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh each whereas to upgrade 40-50 bedded hospitals Rs 50 lakh to Rs 60 lakh each grant-in -aid was provided.

UNI XC PS MMS1704