HC seeks details of funds allocated for Indian medicine

Earlier, observing that vested interests were against the development of Siddha to treat COVID- 19, a division bench comprising Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice VM Velumani had posed 14 questions to the Ayush Ministry and State government on the steps taken to encourage Indian systems of medicine, and whether a Siddha medicine has been tested for treating COVID.

However, when the plea came up for hearing on Thursday, the Centre submitted that substantial funds were being allocated for the promotion of Indian medicine. After this was refuted by the counsel appearing for the petitioner stating that Ayurveda was being provided more funds at the cost of others, especially Siddha, the bench led by Justice Kirubakaran sought details of individual allocation being made for each of the systems of Indian medicine like Ayurveda and Siddha.

The bench was hearing a plea against the detention of a Siddha medical practitioner for claiming that he had prepared a medicine to cure COVID-19.

During the earlier hearing, the bench had also asked the Ayush Ministry and the Tamil Nadu government to furnish details on the number of Siddha doctors who have so far given samples for analysis; how many medicines have been tested; how many of them were found with anti-viral properties; drugs that were approved; and whether the Ministry has sent the report regarding the efficacy of any drug.