The AYUSH Department has worked out a scheme to help the manufacturing units of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy to set up in-house quality control laboratories by extending financial assistance during the XIth Five Year Plan.

The manufacturing units of up to Rs 20 crore annual turnover would be eligible under the revised scheme to seek financial assistance for upgradation of in-house quality control facility as per schedule 'T' GMP requirement and to upgrade their drug manufacturing facilities to WHO/US-FDA GMP standards.

During the Plan period, the Centre would also take steps to strengthen the enforcement machinery for the sector. Regulatory system for the ISM sector needs to have standards on par with the global demands which are being finalised by the Health Ministry.

The Centre is also planning medicinal plants processing zones to encourage value addition of the raw materials used in ayurveda and homoeopathy drugs. This initiative would aim at developing network of medicinal plants cultivators, processing facilities and the AYUSH industry.

"Government knows that there is a tremendous opportunity for Indian farmers to generate additional income by growing medicinal plants, which are in worldwide demand. Keeping in view, the government wants to encourage the Indian farmers to grow medical plants and, further, exports of standardized and qualitative Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines," the ministry document said.

Besides revising many of the schemes and proposing new ones for the XIth Plan, Government is also planning to upscale financial assistance for upgradation of AYUSH colleges to conduct UG/PG courses. It would also extend interest free loans for strengthening of private colleges who meet the eligibility criteria.