Chennai, March 5: The Union Cabinet Friday approved the establishment of a separate Central Council for Research in Siddha by bifurcating the existing Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), New Delhi. CCRAS was established as an autonomous body in 1978. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior official in the department of AYUSH, ministry of health and family welfare, said CCRAS, since its inception as a separate council, has carried out many research activities to promote Ayurveda and Siddha.
In order to provide more attention to the development of this system, the Union Cabinet has given its approval for setting up a separate research council for Siddha with its headquarters at Chennai by bifurcating the existing Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, he noted. The proposed Central Council for Research in Siddha will be set up on the pattern of CCRAS.
The existing clinical research units of Siddha in Chennai, Pondy, Palayamkottai, Thiruvananthapuram, and the survey of medicinal plants unit and Siddha medicinal plants garden at Mettur will be brought under this council, he added. A separate post of director general for the proposed Siddha council at the level of a joint secretary will be created on a par with other similar research councils under the department of AYUSH, along with the transfer of adequate number of staff to the new research council.
By setting up a separate research council for Siddha, it will be possible to give focused attention to development of Siddha and enable its propagation and use by the people in other parts of the country, he emphasised. It is a long struggle to have a separate council for Siddha and the Cabinet decision would boost Siddha system of medicine, the official added.
Courtesy, The Deccan Chronicle
