Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 23: The work on Rs 100 crore prestigious project for setting up of first ever National Institute of Medicinal Plants (NIMP) in the J&K State by the Union Health Ministry is no where insight despite the fact that the project was approved about one year ago by the former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
With the sole motive to tap the huge potential of medicinal plants in this Himalayan State, perhaps for the first time the Union Health Ministry realized to set up an institute of national repute at Bhaderwah in district Doda of Jammu region but due to indifferent attitude of the State Government and now some reluctance on the part of the Union Health Ministry to release much needed funds, the project still hangs in balance.
Sources in the Health department told the Excelsior that the project which was approved by the then Union Health Minister Mr Azad and sanctioned by the department on February 14, 2014 as a part of Central Sector Scheme of ‘Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants,’ under 12th Plan, earlier faced rough weather due to lackadaisical stance of some Valley centric leadership of the State, but now some people in the BJP led NDA Government were trying to derail the project, depriving the people of Jammu region. Chenab belt of erstwhile Doda district has massive potential of medicinal plants and herbs and the J&K Forest department earns huge revenue from its extraction from this region.
The Department of AYUSH, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had asked for at least 10 acres of suitable land for the said project. The State Government after several communications and reminders from the Union Ministry identified the land in two patches near Bhaderwah and has communicated to the Department of AYUSH. But thereafter, no much progress has been witnessed. Even the Central team had visited the site and further gave its formal consent.
Though process was stalled during Lok Sabha and then Assembly elections, but no visible progress has been witnessed on the project due to delayed information/ clarifications communicated by the State Government to the Centre.
The sources revealed that Secretary Health and Medical Education, J&K vide his letter dated October 16, 2014 while replying to all the observations and clarifications of Department of AYUSH (GOI), requested for the release of funds to commence work on the proposed project but till date no further response has been received from the Union Ministry. Even some additional information sought by AYUSH was also conveyed on December 10, 2014.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, S V Meena when contacted disclosed that Health Ministry had sent requisition for acquiring nearly 10 acres of land at Bhaderwah for setting up of National Institute of Medicinal Plants and the District Administration commenced its work after getting letter. The Revenue officials concerned were deployed on the task and they identified the required land in two patches at most suitable places as desired by them near Bhaderwah.
Mr Meena said this project is going to give new impetus to the conservation, propagation and research of medicinal plants in the entire country. It will generate lot of employment for the local people and also enhance their income.
“We have done our part and now concerned department has to play its role to establish this apex institute in this region with proven high potential of medicinal plants. We will welcome the project and all the people of this belt are also eagerly waiting for it”, Mr Meena maintained.
Meanwhile, in a fresh letter to the Union Health Minister JP Nadda, Mr Azad has sought his personal intervention for expediting work on this important project and releasing funds for its execution. The former Health Minister also regretted the delay being caused to implement the project with which not only J&K State but the entire country will be benefitted.
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