The government of India has appointed Dr K Ravi, chief medical officer of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Chennai as the joint advisor to government of India representing Siddha system. He will take charge in another 20 days.

On August 10 this year, Pharmabiz had carried one story that even after three years of establishing Central Council of Research in Siddha (CCRS) after bifurcating Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), no effort has been made to appoint the senior level officers and constitute the scientific advisory committee. Following the story, the government has promptly moved to fill up the highest technical post of joint advisor to government of India representing Siddha in order to suggest ways to bring up the central council.

The post was lying vacant for the last two years after the retirement of Dr M A Kumar in 2010. Despite numerous appeals from the Siddha fraternity to fill up the post of joint advisor, the government was apathetic towards the request. Now welcoming the appointment of Dr Ravi, the secretary of Centre for Traditional Medicines & Research (CTMR), Dr T Thirunarayanan said by filling up the vacant post, the government has done a good and appreciable job.

Speaking to Pharmabiz, Dr Ravi said he is yet to receive the order, but came to know of it. He hopes to take charge as soon as he receives the order. His office is located in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, members of Siddha doctors association in Chennai expressed happiness over the appointment of Dr Ravi. They expressed the hope that all the problems related to the appointment of officers and formation of statutory committees with the CCRS Chennai would be resolved soon with the appointment of a new joint advisor.