Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Aug 31: Despite having the requisite approvals from the Union Ministry of Health, a prestigious project Rs 100 crores worth for setting up of ‘National Institute of Medicinal Plants’ has failed to make much headway due to the lackadaisical attitude of the State Government.
Official sources in the Union Health Ministry told EXCELSIOR that despite several reminders to the top official hierarchy of the State, there is little movement on the subject.
“The Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), had sent several reminders to the office of Chief Secretary urging him to expedite the matter. While the first reminder was sent by Secretary AYUSH, Nolanjan Sanyal in a letter bearing D.O No. Z-18020/47/2013-NMPB dated April 3, 2014, another reminder had been sent three-months later by the Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of AYUSH vide F.NO. Z-18020/47/2013-NMPB dated July 10, 2014”, sourced elaborated.
Sources said, “Ironically, though the Union Ministry had kept special provision of Rs 100 crores for the prestigious project, but the State Government had failed to even identify the land for the establishment of the National Institute”.
“The delay of action on part of the State Government is adversely affecting the finalizing of the plan of establishment of National Institute of Medicinal Plants”, said the repeated reminders issued by the Centre.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was instrumental in getting the prestigious project sanctioned in 12th Plan and ensuring that allocation of Rs 100 crores is provided in the Budget of this Department, had himself also earlier sent reminders to the State Government over continuous delays in the matter. But, there is little movement on the proposal.
While justifying the setting up of the “National Institute of Medicinal Plants” in the Jammu and Kashmir State, Mr Azad had stated, “the Himalayan State has rich wealth of medicinal plants and this unique position provided an appropriate contest to place this institution here. The proposed institute is likely to give impetus to medicinal plant sector in the entire State that can lead to generation of large-scale employment and income”.
The latest reminder issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare dated July 10, this year, which is in possession of EXCELSIOR, “we had earlier also requested the State Government to make available land around Bhaderwah for setting up of the proposed institute”.
“Though the Commissioner/ Secretary to Government, Revenue Department had informed about the availability of land in two patches in village Kotli Bhaderwah and Bhalla Taisna Bhaderwah of Doda District. However, no specific information was provided”, says the latter.
The letter which has been addressed to the office of Chief Secretary says, “it is once again requested to provide location details of the said patches, along with the site sketch at the earliest. Also, provide details of current status of possession of the land and its connectivity status of the site with Jammu and Srinagar by different modes of transport”.
Urging the concerned authorities to look into the matter, the letter says, “the delays on part of the State Government are adversely affecting the finalizing of the plan of the National Institute of Medicinal Plants”.
Earlier, in a similar letter, Secretary, AYUSH on behalf of the Union Health Ministry dated April 3, 2014 addressed to the office of Chief Secretary says, “D.O letter from Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad was also sent to Minister of State, Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Ajaz Khan on February 14, this year with request to make available 10 acres of land around Bhaderwah for setting up of the prestigious institute. In this regard Commissioner/Secretary, Revenue vide letter no. Rev/CS/ 110/2014 dated 21/02/2014 had informed that land is available in District Doda, which could be made available”.
The letter further says, “specific information regarding proposed land was request from Commissioner Revenue vide letter No. Z-18020/47/2013-NMPD dated February 27, 2014 of Jitendra Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, and National Medicinal Plants Board. However, no response has been received from the State in this regard”.
Peeved over the state of affairs, several Health experts opined, “efforts need to be initiated to expedite the establishment of institute as besides providing impetus to the medicinal sector in State, it would also large-scale employment to the residents”.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, S V Meena when contacted over the status of the project said, “we are taking the project on priority basis and have recently sent all the necessary details to the Union Health Ministry. We have also urged the Ministry to depute a team of professionals for an on spot assessment of the land available for the project”.
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