Lok Sabha Question No. 4160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Shortage of Raw Material for AYUSH
Ministry: AYUSH
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AYUSH

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4160 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th  DECEMBER 2024

## 'Shortage of Raw Material for AYUSH'

## 4160. Dr. K. Sudhakar:

Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of growth of the AYUSH sector in the country during the last five years, year-wise;
- (b) whether there is a shortage of raw materials, especially due to over reliance on forest produce and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to overcome the shortage of raw material;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote Ayurveda and also to boost Ayurvedic tourism in the country;
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to set up AYUSH hospitals in all districts of the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that India's AYUSH brand is promoted globally  along  with  the  details  of  benefits  included  under  Ayushman  Bharat  Health packages for AYUSH?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) Ministry  of  Ayush  has  published  a  report  entitled  'A  Decade  of  Transformative Growth in Ayush, 2014-2024'. Details are available at https://ayush.gov.in/resources/pdf/annualReport/DecadeAyushReport.pdf. Year-wise details of the growth made in the Ayush sector during the last five years are as follows -

## i. Budget of Ministry of Ayush:

During  the  last  five  years,  budget  allocation  to  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  been increased which reflects a growing recognition of the importance of the sector. Year wise details of budget allocated to Ministry of Ayush are at Annexure-I.

## ii. Ayush Infrastructure:

Total Number of Ayush Hospitals, Beds, Dispensaries and Registered Practitioners (Doctors) across the countries during the years 2019-2023 are at Annexure-I.

## iii. Ayush  drug industry:

As per the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) report of 2020, the Ayush manufacturing industry size has been estimated at Rs.1,37,800 crores

(USD 18.1 Bn) that is 6 times rise in 7 years. Similarly, preliminary study of RIS shows Rs.1,66,797 Crores Revenue in Ayush Service sector. Total number of Ayush manufacturing units in the country during the years 2019-2023 (as reported by State/UT Governments and Concerned Agencies) are at Annexure-I.

## iv. Education:

National  Commission  for  Indian  System  of  Medicine  (NCISM)  Act  2020  and National  Commission  for  Homoeopathy  (NCH)  Act  2020  were  enacted  in  September 2020.  These  acts  replaced  the  old  Indian  Medicine  Central  Council  Act  1970  and Homoeopathy Central Council Act 1973 respectively. Year-wise details of Ayush colleges increased in last five years from 2020-2025 are at Annexure-I.

## v. Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H):

Government  of  India  has  established  Pharmacopoeia  Commission  for  Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) as its subordinate office by merging Pharmacopoeial  Laboratory  for  Indian  Medicine  (PLIM),  Ghaziabad  and  Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia Laboratory (HPL), Ghaziabad, both subordinate offices and Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H), Ghaziabad, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Ayush vide gazette notification dated 06 th July, 2020.

PCIM&H on behalf of Ministry of Ayush lays down the formulary specifications and Pharmacopoeial Standards for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) drugs/  medicines,  which serve as official  compendia for ascertaining the quality  control (identity,  purity  and  strength)  of  the  ASU&H  drugs,  included  herein,  as  per  Drugs  & Cosmetics  Act,  1940  and  Rules  1945,  thereunder  and  compliance  to  these  quality standards are mandatory for the production of ASU&H drug being manufactured in India. During  the  last  five  years,  60  quality  standards  on  raw  materials  (Single  Drugs  of plant/animal/Mineral/ Chemical origin) used in Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine, 03 quality standards of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) formulations, 219 formulary specifications  of  ASU  drugs  has  been  published  in  respective  pharmacopoeias  and formularies.

PCIM&H also  act  as  an  appellate  drug  testing  laboratory  and  receives  samples from government agencies as per the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and rules thereunder for  ascertaining  their  quality.  Year-wise  details  of  drug  samples  tested  and  trainings conducted by PCIM&H to Drug Regulatory Authorities, State Drug Testing Laboratories etc. are at Annexure-I .

(b) No  shortage  of  raw  materials  has  been  reported  to  Ministry  of  Ayush.  To  ensure sustainable  supply  of  medicinal  plants  raw  material,  National  Medicinal  Plants  Board

(NMPB),  Ministry  of  Ayush  under  its "Central Sector Scheme  for  Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants" is providing support to Regional Cum Facilitation Centres (RCFCs) for development of Quality Planting Material (QPM)  of  medicinal  plants  and  their  distribution  to  farmers/growers  to  increase  the cultivation of medicinal plants.

The  details  of  Quality  Planting  Material  (QPM)  of  Medicinal  Plants  species developed through RCFCs projects of NMPB during the year 2017-18 to 2023-24 are at Annexure-II.

Central  Council  for  Research  in  Homoeopathy  (CCRH)  has  Centre  of Medicinal Plants Research in Homoeopathy (CMPRH), Ooty, Tamil Nadu. This institute is engaged in cultivation, survey, collection and maintenance of germplasm of exotic and indigenous plants  used  in  Homoeopathy.  Centre  of  Medicinal  Plant  Research  in  Homoeopathy (CMPRH) at Emerald, Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu under Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) is maintaining and cultivating the germplasm of 104 plant species (92 exotic and 12 indigenous) medicinal plants used in Homoeopathy.

Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) through Siddha Medicinal Plants Garden, Mettur Dam cultivates medicinal plants to meet the demand for the production of Siddha formulations at Pharmacy of CCRS and also for supply for the research and related purpose.

(c) Ministry  of  Ayush  has  implemented  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  National Ayush Mission (NAM) through States/UTs and supporting their efforts for promotion and overall  development  of  Ayush  system  including  Ayurveda.  Under  NAM,  grant-in-aid  is being provided to the State/UT Governments against their proposals received through State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) as per the provisions of NAM guidelines. The NAM interalia makes provision for the following activities:

(i)  Operationalization  of  Ayush  Health  &  Wellness  Centres  (AHWCs)  now  renamed  as Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush).

(ii) Co-location of Ayush facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs).

(iii) Upgradation of existing standalone Government Ayush Hospitals.

(iv) Upgradation of existing Government/Panchayat/Government aided Ayush Dispensaries/Construction of building for existing Ayush Dispensary (Rented/dilapidated accommodation)/Construction of building to establish new Ayush Dispensary.

(v) Setting up of 10/30/50 bedded integrated Ayush Hospitals.

(vi) Supply of essential drugs to Government Ayush Hospitals, Government Dispensaries and Government / Government aided Teaching Institutional Ayush Hospitals.

(vii) Ayush Public Health Programs.

(viii  Establishment  of  new  Ayush  colleges  in  the  States  where  availability  of  Ayush teaching institutions is inadequate in Government Sector.

(ix)  Infrastructural  development  of  Ayush  Under-Graduate  Institutions  and  Ayush  PostGraduate Institutions/add on PG/ Pharmacy/Para-Medical Courses.

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under Ministry of Ayush,  through  Information  Education  and  Communication  (IEC)  activities,  has  been engaged in popularizing the Ayurveda system in the country among the masses through electronic and print media for common people in English, Hindi, and regional languages, which  are  widely  distributed  through  National/State  level  Arogya  melas,  health  camps, exhibitions and expos etc. The rural and tribal areas are targeted through CCRAS outreach programs viz. Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) Research Program, Tribal Health Care Research Program (THCRP) etc. in different states of the country through its network of peripheral institutes. Further, IEC materials are also put on the Council's website for wider publicity. The Council has three journals named Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences  (JDRAS),  Journal  of  Research  in  Ayurvedic  Sciences  (JRAS),  and  Journal  of Indian  Medical  Heritage  (JIMH)  which  is  also  available  electronically  in  the  public domain free of cost to enable dissemination of the outcomes of research among the public. So far, the Council has published about 409 books, monographs, technical reports and they are being sold or distributed to disseminate research outcomes and merits of Ayurveda at large.  To  boost  Ayurveda  tourism,  20  institutes  of  CCRAS  are  registered  as  centres providing services under the Ayush Visa for Ayush treatment of foreign nationals.

(d) As  public  health  is  a  State  subject,  establishment  of  hospitals  in  all  districts  comes under  the  purview  of  respective  State/UT  Governments.  However,  under  Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM), there is a provision of financial assistance  for  10/30/50  bedded  Integrated  Ayush  Hospital.  In  this  regard,  State/UT Governments  may  avail  the  eligible  financial  assistance  by  submitting  the  suitable proposals  through  State  Annual  Action  Plans  (SAAPs)  as  per  the  provision  of  NAM guidelines.

(e) The Ministry of Ayush has developed a Central Sector Scheme for the Promotion of International  Co-operation  in  Ayush  (IC  Scheme)  under  which  the  Ministry  of  Ayush provides  support  to  Indian  Ayush  drug  Manufacturers/Ayush  Service  providers  to  give boost to the export of Ayush products and services; facilitates the International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush  system  of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote academics and research through the establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and holding  training  workshop/symposiums  for  promoting  and  strengthening  awareness  and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level.

The  Ministry  of  Ayush  has  taken  the  following  steps  towards  the  international recognition for Ayush systems of medicine:

-  Collaboration with Foreign Countries by signing of country level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for undertaking Ayush related activities on mutual interest. Signed  24  Country  to  Country  MoUs  for  Cooperation  in  field  of  Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy with foreign nations;
-  Signing of  MoUs with foreign institute for research/academic collaboration;
-  15 MoUs for establishment of Ayush Chairs in Foreign Universities/Institutes;
-  Deputation of Ayush expert (short term/long term);
-  Collaboration  with  World  Health  Organisation  (WHO)  or  United  Nations  (UN) agencies for cooperation in the field of Ayush, support or organizing international training;
-  Conference, seminar, expo etc. in India or abroad for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level;
-  Establishment of 42 Ayush information cell (centre) in different countries across the world to provide authentic information about Ayush system;
-  Representing Ayush in various bilateral meetings and multilateral forums, support for undertaking clinical research in Ayush at international level;
-  Provides support to Indian Ayush Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to export of Ayush products & services etc.
-  Offering Ayush scholarships to foreign nationals for courses in recognized Ayush institutions in India.
-  International Day of Yoga (IDY), celebrated annually on June 21, IDY has become a flagship event following its adoption by the United Nations in 2014, with largescale participation across the globe through embassies, yoga practitioners, and local communities.
-  Educational Initiatives such as support for yoga education through courses, and the establishment  of  Ayush  chairs  in  foreign  universities.  The  Yoga  Certification Board  (YCB),  established  by  the  Ministry  of  Ayush,  provides  internationally recognized  certification  for  yoga  professionals  and  institutions,  ensuring  quality standards in teaching and practice.

The Ayush packages are not included in Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PM JAY).

Annexure-I

- (i) Year-wise details of the budget allocated to Ministry of Ayush -
- (ii)  Total  Number  of  Ayush  Hospitals,  Beds,  Dispensaries  and  Registered  Practitioners (Doctors) across the country during the years 2019-2023 -
- (iii) Total number of Ayush manufacturing units in the country during the years 2019-2023 -
- (iv) Year-wise  details  of  Ayurveda,  Siddha,  Unani  and  Sowa-Rigpa  colleges  increased during last five years -

|   S. No. | Year    | Allocation of budget (Rs. In Crores)   |
|----------|---------|----------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2019-20 | Rs.1939.76                             |
|        2 | 2020-21 | Rs.2122.08                             |
|        3 | 2021-22 | Rs.2970.30                             |
|        4 | 2022-23 | Rs.3050.00                             |
|        5 | 2023-24 | Rs.3647.50                             |

|   S. No. | Facility                           | 2019     | 2020     | 2021     | 2022     | 2023     |
|----------|------------------------------------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
|        1 | Hospitals                          | 3,781    | 3,859    | 3,844    | 3,859    | 3,885    |
|        2 | Beds                               | 60,632   | 60,653   | 60,943   | 61,549   | 62,670   |
|        3 | Dispensaries                       | 29,091   | 29,951   | 36,848   | 37,385   | 37,804   |
|        4 | Registered Practitioners (Doctors) | 6,46,013 | 7,12,132 | 7,55,780 | 7,30,317 | 7,51,768 |

(Source: State/UT Governments and Concerned Agencies)

|       | 2019   | 2020   | 2021   | 2022   | 2023   |
|-------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| Ayush | 8,407  | 8,104  | 8,648  | 8,705  | 8,369  |

(Source: State/UT Governments and Concerned Agencies)

| S. No.                   | Year                     |   Ayurveda |   Siddha |   Unani |   Sowa-Rigpa |   Homoeopathy |
|--------------------------|--------------------------|------------|----------|---------|--------------|---------------|
| 1.                       | 2020-21                  |         01 |       00 |      01 |           00 |            00 |
| 2.                       | 2021-22                  |         47 |       00 |      00 |           01 |            10 |
| 3.                       | 2022-23                  |         42 |       02 |      00 |           01 |            11 |
| 4.                       | 2023-24                  |         46 |       02 |      01 |           00 |            07 |
| 5.                       | 2024-25                  |         35 |       00 |      00 |           00 |            13 |
| Total increased colleges | Total increased colleges |        171 |       04 |      02 |           02 |            41 |

(v) Year-wise details of drug samples tested by PCIM&H are as follows -

|   S. No. | Year                | Homoeopathy   |   Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) |   Total |
|----------|---------------------|---------------|------------------------------------|---------|
|        1 | 2019-20             | 599           |                                 44 |     643 |
|        2 | 2020-21             | 303           |                                 24 |     327 |
|        3 | 2021-22             | 1006          |                                 02 |    1008 |
|        4 | 2022-23             | 243           |                                 28 |     271 |
|        5 | 2023-24             | NIL           |                                 45 |      45 |
|        6 | 2024-25 (Till date) | 01            |                                 05 |      06 |

- (vi)  Year-wise details of training conducted by PCIM&H to Drug Regulatory Authorities, State Drug Testing Laboratories etc. are as follows -

| Year    |   No. of training programs conducted |   No. of participants attended |
|---------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                                   02 |                             23 |
| 2020-21 |                                   03 |                            263 |
| 2021-22 |                                   02 |                             54 |
| 2022-23 |                                   02 |                             88 |
| 2023-24 |                                   04 |                             49 |
| 2024-25 |                                   03 |                             50 |

Details  of  Quality  Planting  Material  (QPM)  of  Medicinal  Plants  species  developed through RCFCs projects of NMPB during the year 2017-18 to 2023-24:

| S. No.   | Regional Cum Facilitation Centres                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | No. of saplings of QPMDeveloped (In Nos.) 2017-18 to 2023-24   |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.       | RCFC (Northern Region -1) Research Institute in Indian Systems of Medicine (RIISM), Joginder Nagar, Dist. Mandi, Himachal Pradesh-175 015                                                                                                                                                                                             | 15,45,880                                                      |
| 2.       | RCFC (Northern Region - 2) Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences &Technology of Kashmir (SKUASTK), Facul ty of Agriculture, Wadura, Sopore- 193201, Jammu &Kashmir                                                                                                                                                       | 22,86,695                                                      |
| 3.       | RCFC (Central Region) State Forest Research Institute (SFRI). Jabalpur, Madhy a Pradesh (Project implemented from 2017-18 to 2022- 23)                                                                                                                                                                                                | 9,43,534                                                       |
| 4.       | RCFC (Eastern Region) Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S.C. Mallick Road, Kolk ata - 700032, West Bengal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | 25,80,503                                                      |
| 5.       | RCFC (Southern Region) Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi - 680653, Thrissur, Kerala                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 48,37,650                                                      |
| 6.       | RCFC (North Eastern Region) (i)Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat, Assam 785006 Project implemented from 2018-19 to 2020-2021) (ii) Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - North East Institute of Science &Technology (CSIR- NEIST), NH-37, Pulibor, Jorhat, Assam 785006 (Project ongoing from Sept., 2021 to till date) | 30,63,310                                                      |
| 7.       | CFC (Western Region) Department of Botany, Savitribai Phule Pune University ,Ganeshkhind, Pune-411007, Maharashtra                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | 11,77,704                                                      |
|          | TOTAL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 1,64,35,276                                                    |

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