The Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) has urged the union government to immediately fill up the vacant post of ‘advisor to Ayurveda’ in the department of Ayush.

Several significant projects are not being implemented for want of the highest technical post of advisor, says the memorandum sent to the union health ministry.

In the letter sent to the Union health minister and to the Ayush secretary, AMMOI secretary Dr D Ramanathan said because of not filling up the post of advisor, no research project of Ayurveda is implemented for the last two years, after the retirement of Dr S K Sharma, who was the last advisor to government of India representing Ayurveda.

Currently, there are two joint advisors, Dr D C Katoch and Dr Manoj Nasery, and one deputy advisor, Dr A Raghu.

He said a central fund of Rs. 63.46 crore lapsed in the previous five year plan and no programme was effectively implemented for want of advisor to Ayurveda. In the 12th Five Year Plan, an amount of Rs. 865 crore has been earmarked for various developmental projects for Ayurveda, which has to be effectively utilized with the support of AMMOI and other ayurvedic industry organisations. Dr Ramanathan wanted the Union health minister to take references from AMMOI for filling up various posts as Kerala is the hub of Ayurveda.

The letter says that apart from the post of advisor, four posts of research officers are also lying vacant. Despite enough funds have been allocated for the department, no serious effort has been made either to fill up the vacant posts or to implement any developmental schemes, said the AMMOI secretary in his letter to the Union health minister. He wanted all the ayurvedic industry organizations and physicians to take the issue immediately to the Union government.

Recently government of India appointed the chief medical officer of CGHS, Chennai as the joint advisor for Siddha, which was also lying vacant for the last two years. Still there are several senior technical posts lying vacant in Unani, Homoeo and Yoga like those in Ayurveda and Siddha.