The Siddha Graduates Medical Association (SIGMA) in Kerala has demanded to the central Ayush department that proper space should be allotted for Siddha wing in the newly opened CCRAS building at Thiruvananthapuram, for carrying out research activities and for OPD.

The SIGMA has alleged that the Siddha system is not getting the deserving or equal status with Ayurveda in Kerala.  The association said the ayurvedic community in Kerala is showing a disdainful attitude towards the traditional healing system originated in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu and it is being sidelined everywhere.

Saying that it was an act of neglect, Dr A Ansari, general secretary of SIGMA, said the name ‘Siddha’ has also not been written in the name of the building which was constructed with the central fund allotted before the CCRAS was bifurcated. The name of the building is ‘Ayurveda Research Institute for Mother and Children’ and was opened last Monday by the state chief minister.

According to Dr Ansari, the institute was constructed and the research facilities were developed with the financial support of the central government. The union government allotted Rs.10 crore in 2008 for constructing a building and other infrastructure facilities for research activities in the systems of Ayurveda and Siddha. It was before the bifurcation of CCRAS into central council of research in Ayurveda (CCRA) and central council of research in Siddha (CCRS).
 
Dr Ansari demanded that the three-storied building constructed at Poojappura using the fund allotted for CCRAS should be benefited for both the systems. In spite of giving an equal status for Siddha wing, it has been provided a space in the basement level. The ground floor and the first floor have been occupied by Ayurveda wing. Besides, no room has been allotted for OPD either on the ground floor or on the first floor, he told Pharmabiz.

Hailing the government of Kerala for its support to Siddha system, the Siddha doctor said his organisation will approach the state government in order to attain an equal status for Siddha with that of Ayurveda.

Meanwhile, the news of the sidelining of Siddha system in the CCRAS building in Kerala has triggered protests from Siddha doctors in Tamil Nadu. Various Siddha associations and NGOs are coming out to express their resentment and opposition to the reported sidelining of the Siddha wing.

Dr T Thirunarayanan, secretary of Centre for Traditional Medicines and Research (CTMR), an organization giving training to Siddha doctors and medicine manufacturers, has said he will register his association’s protest with the central Ayush department. He will also lead a team of young and old siddhars from Tamil Nadu to Thiruvananthapuram to meet the state chief minister and submit a memorandum.
 
When contacted government sources in Kerala, it was informed that the  Siddha wing has been provided with a large area consisting of several rooms in the new building. The building was constructed on a land belongs to government Ayurveda college property.

The sources further said the central Ayush department allotted a separate amount of Rs.10 crore in the previous budget (2013-14) for developing research activities in Siddha and the concerned authorities have so far not utilized the amount. If the money is not spent before this month, it will be lapsed.