MoU inked for medicinal and aromatic plants project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 08 2019: The Manipur Medicinal Plant Board and Government of India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research� North Eastern Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST) signed an MoU yesterday at Jorhat, Assam for extensive cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants over an area of 50 hectares both in the hills and valley of the State.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of AYUSH has sanctioned Rs 4.34 crore for providing better healthcare facilities to the people settled around Loktak Lake, particularly fishermen.

Speaking to media persons at his Secretariat South Block office today, Health Minister L Jayantakumar said that he too went to Jorhat to sign the MoU and the State delegates interacted with the CSIR-NEIST Director and a number of scientists.

He remarked that the signing of the MoU for implementation of CSIR- Aroma Mission in the State is a landmark achievement.

MoU inked for medicinal and aromatic plants project

The State Government has keen interest to exploit both medicinal and aromatic plants which are found abundantly in the State for economic growth, he said.

It is in line with the State Government's vision to exploit the State's rich natural resources that the Directorate of AYUSH initiated due process for the CSIR- Aroma Mission.

Extensive poppy cultivations discovered in different parts of the State have been destroyed and now the CSIR- Aroma Mission would be able to provide alternative source of income to the erstwhile poppy cultivators, Jayantakumar said.

The erstwhile poppy cultivators can now cultivate medicinal and aromatic plants.

Under this project, lemon grass, patchouli, citronella and many other plants can be cultivated and the State Government would provide 50 hectares for the same project, said the Health Minister.

While the State Government would select farmers who would plant medicinal and aromatic plants, CSIR- NEIST would provide saplings and give training to farmers from time to time.

Moreover, CSIR-NEIST would provide all the necessary machinery and equipment free of cost, he continued.

Hinting that the machinery and equipment provided by CSIR-NEIST may be installed at Keirao where a drug manufacturing laboratory would be set up, Jayantakumar said that farmers would get a fair share of the profit earned from the joint venture project.

Informing that the Ministry of AYUSH has sanctioned a grant of Rs 4,34,54,600 to meet healthcare requirements of the people settled around Loktak Lake, particularly fishermen, Jayantakumar said that the amount would be used in providing health care facilities and required medicines to fishermen of Loktak Lake by using boats.

To a query raised by media persons, the Health Minister admitted that there have been instances of discontinuation of treatment of health card holders at some empanelled private hospitals even though they are guaranteed Rs two lakh each under CMHT arid another Rs five lakh each under Ayushman Bharat.

He explained that one primary reason for discontinuation of treatment of health card holders at private hospitals is the vast difference in medical fees charged by the private hospitals and the amount guaranteed by the two schemes.

Shija Hospital has stopped kidney dialysis under the scheme and the matter has been apprised to the Chief Minister, he conveyed.

He added that the matter would be examined minutely at the level of the Chief Minister.

Jayantakumar also released Art and Culture Department's annual wall and table calendars of 2019 today where Art and Culture Commissioner M Lakshmikumar and Art and Culture Director A Shivdas were also present.

Notably, L Jayantakumar is also in charge of Art and Culture Department.