Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:
(a) whether Sowa-Rigpa, a traditional system of medicine is being widely practised in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote this system;
(d) whether the Government proposes to set up a National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa in the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) & (b): Sowa-Rigpa System is a traditional system of medicine of Indian origin recogonised under IMCC Act, 1970. This is being practiced mainly in Himalayan states of India especially in J&K (Laddakh), Himanchal Pradesh (Lahoul&Spiti), West Bengal (Darjeeling), Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. The system has been recogonised under IMCC Act 1970 by an amendment which came into force w.e.f. 1st January, 2012 by notification dated 12/12/2011 published in Gazette of India on 16/12/2011.
(c): The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India established one Research Institute for Sowa Rigpa at Leh under Central Council for Research and Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) in the year 1976 which was upgraded as National Research Institute of Sowa – Rigpa vide notification no. 12-30/2009-CCRAS/Estt dated 15/12/2009. One Sowa-Rigpa expert has been nominated by the Central Government as the member to the Central Council for Indian Medicine (CCIM). Sowa-Rigpa system is also being promoted under Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of AYUSH for Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Public Health Initiative (PHI).
(d) & (e): A proposal to set up a National Institute of Sowa – Rigpa is under consideration for which a draft Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) note has been circulated. The comments received on draft EFC note for developing National institute of Sowa-Rigpa from various Ministries/Departments have been compiled and preparation of final draft is under process.