To end long delays in fund transfer, the department of Ayush has decided to release central assistance through sate wings to the private players engaged in the manufacturing, quality control, education and marketing segments of the Indian medicines.

From this year, funds under the centrally sponsored schemes would be released through the State Health and Family Welfare Societies to enable the grantees to get the funds in time and go ahead with the investments, sources in the Ayush Department said.

The department has also sought an allocation of Rs 1000 crore against a meagre Rs 134 crore of the previous plan for conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants in view of the growing demand for Indian medicines in the international market.

The department has proposed developing accredited Ayush Centres of Excellence in non-governmental/private sectors, providing common facilities for Ayush industries clusters, strengthening of international cooperation and promoting public private partnership for setting up specialty clinics in hospitals during the XIth Plan Period. The share of the sector will grow from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent of the total Plan outlay for health.

The initial period of the 9th plan, after the creation of the department, was utilized to identify the gaps, developing strategies to fill up these gaps, appointing/recruitment of suitable staff, etc. The expenditure grew during the 10th Plan, particularly during the period from 2004-05 onwards. The Plan expenditure increased from Rs 89.78 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 290.96 crore in 2005-06. Expenditure during 2006-07 is anticipated to further increase to Rs 320 crore.

"Besides, the existing centrally sponsored schemes are proposed to be modified in the light of the experience gained through their implementation during the 10th Plan to make implementation more focused and effective. Schemes for conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants for ensuring adequate availability of raw material to meet requirement of raw material in domestic and international market have received desired attention among Eleventh Plan proposals,'' sources said.