Parliament Question: Upgradation of Ayush infrastructure under NAM in Belagavi

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AYUSH RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1121 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026 Upgradation of Ayush infrastructure under NAM in Belagavi 1121 Shri Iranna Kadadi: Will the Minister of Ayush be pleased to state: (a) the details of financial assistance provided to the State Government of Karnataka for the upgradation of Ayush dispensaries in the Belagavi district under the National Ayush Mission (NAM); (b) the status of the 'Ayush Gram' projects sanctioned for the villages in Belagavi to promote holistic health and medicinal plant cultivation; (c) the measures taken to document and validate the traditional knowledge of the 'Nati Vaidyas' (traditional healers) in the Western Ghats region of the district; and (d) the plan of Government to establish a dedicated Centre of Excellence for Ayurveda in the district to leverage the rich biodiversity of the region? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYUSH (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) As reported by State Government of Karnataka, under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM) 16 Ayush dispensaries have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Ayush) in the Belagavi District with financial assistance of Rs. 5.00 lakhs per dispensary as Non-Recurring assistance for civil works and procurement of equipments. (b) As reported by State Government, the Ayush Gram activity is being implemented at Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Ayush), Hattaraki, in Belagavi District. Under this programme, the following activities are presently being carried out: 1. Public awareness programmes are being conducted on the identification of medicinal herbs, methods of cultivation, sustainable collection and use, preparation of home remedies, appropriate food consumption practices, daily lifestyle routines, and menstrual health. 2. Awareness is being created regarding the prevention and control of infectious diseases, along with the importance of immunity in maintaining overall health. 13. With the support of local traditional healers, awareness is being generated among medicinal plant growers on the identification, cultivation, and utilization of locally available medicinal plants. 4. Free yoga training sessions are being organized for the villagers to promote physical and mental well-being. (c) The State Government of Karnataka has adopted following measures to document and validate the traditional knowledge practices of Nati Vaidyas (traditional healers) in the Western Ghats region of the district: 1. Identification of the family lineage and background of the traditional healer. 2. Verification of the Guru lineage, in cases where the healer has received knowledge through Gurumukha Upadesha (oral transmission). 3. Identification of the place of residence and service area, along with the type of treatment in which the healer specializes. This is further validated by collecting feedback from the healer’s own village and nearby villages. 4. Confirmation that the healer possesses a minimum of 10 years of experience in the specific treatment practiced. 5. Verification that the healer has adequate knowledge in the identification of medicinal herbs and is capable of preparing medicines independently, without the use of harmful chemical drugs. 6. Assessment of the healer’s understanding of the nature of diseases treated, including awareness of the limitations of their treatment methods. 7. Ensuring that the treatment administered does not result in any adverse side effects to patients. 8. Verification that the healer does not engage in exaggerated publicity or misleading claims regarding treatment outcomes. 9. Confirmation that the healer does not rely on or use Ayurvedic, Unani, Naturopathy, Yoga, or Siddha medicine textbooks, ensuring the practice is purely traditional and experiential. 10. Eligibility is restricted to those who treat human ailments only; practitioners involved in veterinary treatment are not considered. 11. Documentation of single-disease specialization, such as treatment for jaundice, pediatric ailments, pregnancy-related conditions (including vomiting), paralysis, poison treatment, ulcers, skin diseases, etc. 12. Verification that the healer does not use surgical instruments or sharp tools such as scissors, knives, blades, or weapons during treatment. (d) As reported by State Government, at present, there is no proposal under Ayush Department. ***** 2