In an attempt to strengthen health services in rural areas Akhilesh Yadav Government has decided to allow Ayurvedic and Unani doctors to use modern allopathic medicines by bringing required amendments in the law. The decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held here on Tuesday.
Government spokesman said that after this decision all the registered doctors under Indian System of Medicines namely Unani and Ayurvedic have been allowed to use allopathic drugs in their line of treatment. “Necessary amendments in the section 39 of the Uttar Pradesh Indian Medical Act, 1939 would be carried out and a notification under Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 would be released soon,” the spokesman said.
This decision was taken in view of acute shortage of doctors in the Provincial Health and Medical Services. The MBBS doctors are not willing to work in villages, while the Ayurvedic and Unani doctors who are posted in rural areas are not allowed to use allopathic drugs.
“This situation was creating hurdles in Government initiative in providing quality health facilities in the villages”, the spokesman said. “In view of many states including Haryana and Maharashtra allowing Ayurvedic and Unani doctors to use allopathic drugs in their line of treatment the government has decided to bring similar changes,” he said. In another decision Government has decided to appoint nurses in state-run Ayurvedic Colleges and associated hospitals. Government has also increased the superannuation age of Registrar and employees of Indian Medical Council from existing 58 years to 60 years.
The state cabinet has also approved creation of four new tehsils in the state. Martinganj in Azamgarh, Goverdhan in Mathura and Pali and Madawar both in lalitpur districts would be new tehsils, the spokesman said. Government has also decided to give assistance to Bundelkhand farmers to produce til (sesame seeds). Earlier Government subsidy on til production was Rs 20 per kg but not it has been enhanced to Rs 80 per kg.
On an average 5 kg til is produced in one hectare of land. “Going by this rate the farmers opting for til cultivation would get Rs 400 as grant/subsidy for per hectare of cultivation,” spokesman said. It is estimated that in Buldelkhand til is sown in 3.25 lakh hectare of land. Thus, in 2015-16 extra burden on government exchequer would be Rs 13 crore. “If this scheme succeeds the government may extend it for next year.
The cabinet has authorized minister concerned to take a decision on this,” he said. Government has decided to stand as guarantor for HUDCO loan of 1500 crore meant for lohia Gramin Awas Yojana. The floating interest rate would be 8.5 per cent. This scheme was launched in 2012-13 and is aimed at providing cheap houses to rural poor.