a) the details of PM Vriksh AYUSH Yojana along with its aims and objectives;
b) whether the Ministry had requested an allocation of Rs. 2,050 crores for this scheme but the Finance Ministry has allocated only Rs. 25 crores;
c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for lower allocation; and
d) the works proposed to be undertaken by the Ministry with Rs. 25 crores under this scheme?
THE MINISTER OF AYUSH
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a): Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of India announced Rs. 4000 Cr. as special financial assistance under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for promotion of herbal cultivation in May, 2020. National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Ayush has prepared a draft scheme namely “Pradhan Mantri VRIKSH-AYUSH Yojana” for promotion of Medicinal Plant Cultivation, Post-harvest management and Marketing support by involving farmers and the Ayush industry.
The objectives of the “Pradhan Mantri VRIKSH-AYUSH Yojana”, were as follows:-
1. To enhance the income of farmers and local communities through: -
i. Cultivation of high value and high-volume medicinal plants;
ii. Post-harvest management for quality control and value addition
iii. Easy market linkage between farmers / collectors and manufacturers.
2. To ensure sustained supply of quality raw-material to Ayush drug industry.
(b & c) A token amount of Rs. 25.00 crore was allocated under “Pradhan Mantri VRIKSH-AYUSH Yojana” for the financial year 2021-2022 at the time of Budget Estimate (BE) allocationagainst the projectionof Rs. 2056.00 croreas the scheme was under consideration.
(d) The work proposed by the Ministryunder aforesaid scheme was to cultivate of medicinal plants, establish Post-harvest management units and supports Market linkageswithin a budget of Rs. 25 crore.
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