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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Govt has implemented Central Sector Scheme for promotion of IEC in Ayush: MoS Prataprao Jadhav
New Delhi: Central government has implemented the Central Sector Scheme for the promotion of Information Education and Communication (IEC) in Ayush to create awareness regarding Ayush Systems of Medicine which aims to reach out to all sections of the population across the country, and provides assistance for organising National Arogya Fairs, Yoga Fests and Utsavs, and Ayurveda Parvs , among others. The Ayush ministry also undertakes Multi-Media and print media campaigns to create awareness about Ayush systems. Union Minister of State of the Ministry of Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday said that the government has taken several steps for the qualitative production and distribution of Ayush medicines including quality certifications scheme implemented by the Quality Council of India (QCI) for grant of Ayush mark to Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unproducts on the basis of third party evaluation of quality in accordance with the status of compliance to domestic and international standards. "The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 & rules made thereunder have exclusive regulatory provisions regarding manufacture for sale or for distribution of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Sowa- Rigpa, Unani , and Homoeopathy drugs. It is mandatory for the manufacturers to adhere to the prescribed requirements for licensing of manufacturing units & medicines including proof of safety & effectiveness, compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as per Schedule T & Schedule M-I of Drugs Rules , 1945 and quality standards of drugs given in the respective pharmacopoeia," the written reply said. "Rule 160 A to J of the Drugs Rules, 1945 provides the regulatory guidelines for approval of Drug Testing Laboratories for carrying out such tests of identity, purity, quality and strength of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs as may be required under the provisions of these rules, on behalf of licensee for manufacture of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs. Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) on behalf of Ministry of Ayush lays down the Formulary specifications and Pharmacopoeial Standards for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic drugs, which serves as an official compendia for ascertaining the Quality Control (identity, purity and strength) of Ayush drugs, as per the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 & rules made thereunder. Compliance to these quality standards are mandatory for Ayush drugs being manufactured in India.," it added. Jadhav further said that, the Pharmacovigilance Centres for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic drugs set up in different parts of the country under the Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Ayush are mandated to report adverse drug reactions to the respective State Regulatory Authorities. "Central Sector Scheme, Ayush Oushadhi Gunavatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) has been implemented for the year 2021-2026. One of the components of this Scheme is to strengthen and up-grade Ayush Pharmacies and Drug Testing Laboratories to achieve higher standards. An Ayush vertical has been created in Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to strengthen regulatory measures ensuring safety and quality of Ayush drugs. Further, CDSCO issues WHO Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (WHO-CoPP) to Ayush drugs having compliance to such standards," it added. Quality Certifications Scheme implemented by the Quality Council of India (QCI) for grant of Ayush mark to Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani products on the basis of third party evaluation of quality in accordance with the status of compliance to domestic and international standards. Further, the Government has taken several steps for widening and deepening research in Ayush medicines, including implementing the Central Sector Scheme, namely AYURGYAN Scheme, from FY 2021-22. The Scheme has three components viz. (i) Capacity Building & Continuing Medical Education (CME) in Ayush (ii) Research & Innovation in Ayush and (iii) Ayurveda Biology Integrated Health Research added under the scheme from FY 2023-24. Under the Research & Innovation in Ayush component, financial assistance is provided to the eligible Organizations/Institutions across the county as per the provision contained in the scheme guidelines to support clinical, fundamental, pharmaceutical, literary and medicinal plant research in Extra Mural mode. Government has also established Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) and Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) under the Ministry of Ayush as apex organizations for undertaking, coordinating, formulating, developing and promoting research in Ayush system on scientific lines. Core research activities comprise of Medicinal Plant Research (Medico-Ethno Botanical Survey), Pharmacognosy and in-vitro propagation techniques, Drug Standardization, Pharmacological Research, Clinical Research, Literary Research and Documentation and Tribal Health Care Research Programme. CCRAS, CCRUM, CCRH, CCRS and CCRYN are the apex organizations established under the Ministry of Ayush for undertaking, coordinating, formulating, developing and promoting research in Ayush system on scientific lines. The Councils are also engaged in awareness activities for the promotion of Ayush systems through IEC activities and through electronic and print media for common people in English, Hindi, and regional languages, which are widely distributed through National/ State level Arogya health melas, health camps, exhibitions, expos and outreach programs, the MoS said. Ministry of Ayush has also taken initiative for inclusion of ' Traditional Medicine ' chapter in the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10 and 11) supporting the scientific research, Ayush Export Promotion Council (AYUSHEXCIL), WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) and celebration of Yoga and Ayurveda day etc. worldwide. In addition, the Ministry of Ayush has also taken steps towards international promotion, development and recognition for Ayush systems of medicine like, signed 25 Country to Country MoUs for Co-operation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy with foreign nations. Ayush also signed 15 MoUs with International Institutes for setting up of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign nations. (ANI)
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Why Andhra Pradesh has named a scheme for schoolkids after Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
The Telugu Desam Party-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh has launched a scheme to provide kits to school children. The scheme has been named the 'Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra Kits'. The government has said that in choosing the name of the former President, academician and philosopher, it is bucking the trend of naming schemes for schoolchildren after political leaders, and wants to keep students above politics. Radhakrishnan served as the country's second President, from 1962 to 1967. His birthday on September 5 is observed as Teachers' Day. The state government is providing schools kits to over 35 lakh school-going students free of cost. The government spent Rs 953 crore to procure the kits. The Quality Council of India (QCI) partnered with the government to conduct three-layer quality checks on all the materials used in the making of the kits, officials said. Designed to ensure an equal start for every student, the kits include uniforms, shoes, belts, socks, school bags, textbooks, notebooks, workbooks, and Oxford dictionaries. The government has also borne the stitching charges — Rs 120 for Classes 1–8 and Rs 240 for Classes 9–10 — ensuring uniforms are ready to wear. With a total budget of Rs 953.71 crore — Rs 778.68 crore from the state and Rs 175.03 crore from the Centre — each kit is valued at approximately Rs 2,279. HRD and IT Minister N Lokesh Naidu said that under the previous YSRCP regime, the kits were branded as Jagananna Vidya Kanuka and featured images of the then Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. This was widely criticised for exposing schoolchildren to political influence and using government material to do political publicity, he said. The current kits are free from any political colors, symbols, or logos. What is inside the kit? Each student receives: 1. Three sets of uniforms in new colors (olive green pants/gowns and light yellow-green striped shirts) 2. One pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, a belt, and a school bag 3. Textbooks, workbooks, and notebooks 4. An Oxford English-English-Telugu Dictionary for Class 6 students 5. Pictorial dictionaries for Class 1 students 6. Dictionaries in regional/minority languages like Urdu, Tamil, and Odia where needed.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Transparency saves Rs 63.80 crore in Vidyarthi Mitra
VIJAYAWADA: The State government has saved Rs 63.80 crore through transparent tendering and three-tier quality check system in implementing the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra (SRKVM) student kit scheme for the academic year 2025-26. At the initiative of HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, for the first time in the State, the Quality Council of India (QCI) was brought on board to monitor and certify the quality of each item under the Vidyarthi Mitra scheme. The inspection was carried out at three phases, which included verification of raw material, monitoring during production, and final inspection of finished products before dispatch to schools. The government had floated tenders worth Rs 676.15 crore (ECV), and received bids for Rs 612.35 crore, resulting in a saving of Rs 63.80 crore. The entire process was conducted through the AP e-procurement platform to ensure transparency and competition. To create awareness among beneficiaries about the quality of kits, 'Quality Walls' were set up at mandal stock points displaying all items. Students, parents, and teachers could directly inspect the kits, and provide feedback. Under the Vidyarthi Mitra, 35.94 lakh students from Class 1 to 10 in government and aided schools are receiving kits worth Rs 2,279 each. The total allocation for the scheme stood at Rs 953.71 crore. Of the total sum, the State's spending was Rs 778.68 crore, while the Centre's contribution was Rs 175.03 crore.
Hans India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
35 lakh school students to receive ‘Vidyarthi Mitra' kits
Vijayawada: The state government has undertaken an extensive exercise of distributing student kits called 'Vidyarthi Mitra kits' at a cost of Rs 953 crore to over 35 lakh students. To ensure the highest standards of quality, all materials provided to students have undergone a rigorous three-layer quality check by the Quality Council of India (QCI) before distribution. For the first time, the state has partnered with the QCI to conduct three-stage quality checks, covering raw materials, final production and packaging. Only those products that passed all stages were dispatched to schools. To ensure transparency, 'Quality Walls' have been set up at mandal stock points to test and display the kit items. Government school students across the state are stepping into the new academic year with pride and confidence, thanks to the distribution of the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra kits. Spearheaded by education minister Nara Lokesh, the initiative has brought a fresh look to classrooms, along with renewed energy and enthusiasm among students. Designed to ensure an equal start for every student, the kits include uniforms, shoes, belts, socks, school bags, textbooks, notebooks, workbooks, and Oxford dictionaries — all of high quality and presented in attractive, student-friendly colors. Significantly, this is the first time that government-provided kits are free from political branding. The kits have been renamed after India's second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Under the previous YSRCP government, the kits were branded as Jagananna Vidya Kanuka and featured images of the then chief minister. This was widely criticised for exposing schoolchildren to political influence and using government material to do political publicity. This year, the government has distributed these kits to over 35.94 lakh students from Classes 1 to 10 across government and aided schools. With a total budget of Rs 953.71 crore — Rs 778.68 crore from the state and Rs 175.03 crore from the Centre — each kit is valued at approximately 2,279. The government has also borne the stitching charges — Rs 120 for Classes 1–8 and Rs 240 for Classes 9–10 — ensuring uniforms are ready to wear. As part of the initiative each student received three sets of uniform cloth in new colours (olive green pants/gowns and light yellow-green striped shirts), one pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, a belt, and a school bag, textbooks, workbooks, and notebooks, an Oxford English-English-Telugu dictionary for Class 6 students, pictorial dictionaries for Class 1 students and dictionaries in regional/minority languages like Urdu, Tamil, and Odia where needed With transparent online tenders through the e-procurement system, the government saved Rs 63.80 crore compared to previous years.
Hans India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Quality Council of India launches revamped portal for MSMEs
The Quality Council of India (QCI), the national custodian of accreditation in the country, commemorated World Accreditation Day 2025 here on Monday with the launch of revamped portal of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), aimed at streamlining the accreditation process and enhancing digital accessibility, particularly for laboratories and MSMEs. The QCI, through its constituent boards - the NABL and the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) - partners with global bodies such as the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to align India's quality and conformance infrastructure with international benchmarks. This year's theme, "Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)", underscored the strategic role accreditation plays in enhancing competitiveness, market access, and credibility for MSMEs. The event opened with key messages from leadership and the release of a thematic video, setting the stage for dialogue on quality, innovation, and sustainable growth in the MSME sector. Reinforcing industry-wide commitment to quality, the event also featured 'Gunvatta Samarpan' - a unique initiative that encourages organisations to publicly pledge adherence to accredited standards across sectors. Addressing the gathering, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Amardeep Singh Bhatia, underlined the importance of accreditation in enabling Indian SMEs to access both domestic and global markets. He noted that certification and assessment bodies are crucial to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047, by upholding quality, supporting exports, and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth. Quality Council of India (QCI) Chairperson, Jaxay Shah, in his keynote address, stated that accreditation is a gateway to global trust. He emphasised its role in helping MSMEs align with international standards, reduce rejection rates, boost productivity, and access new markets. Following the inaugural session, a Technical Session and concurrent CEO Forum featured expert-led discussions on how accreditation can drive MSME growth across sectors. Panellists shared insights on accreditation's role in improving diagnostic infrastructure, enabling international trade, supporting certified management systems and products, promoting third-party inspections, advancing sustainable manufacturing, and contributing to net-zero goals. Observed globally every year on June 9, World Accreditation Day highlights the role of accreditation in strengthening quality infrastructure, enabling global trade, and fostering economic development. This year's celebration by QCI reaffirmed accreditation as a vital enabler of innovation, competitiveness, and growth for India's small businesses in an increasingly globalised economy.
