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The Parliamentary Panel on Health and Family Welfare has recommended to the Ministry of Ayush to approach the Ministry of Finance seeking extension of the National Ayush Mission (NAM) for another five years, and expand the schemes under the Mission for better benefit to the public.
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, in its 168th report on action taken by the government on the recommendations the Panel has made in the 165th report on Demands for Grants 2025-26 of the Ministry of Ayush, also asked the Ministry to approach the Finance Ministry to increase allocation for the scheme and change the contribution ratio between the Centre and the state with higher participation from the Centre to achieve its cherished objective.
NAM is the centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Ayush implemented through the states and Union Territories. It is aimed to mainstream Ayush systems into healthcare services and develop evidence-based Ayush management protocol through scientific documentation and to ensure the accessibility of quality of Ayush services. It was launched in 2014 and was extended from April, 2021 to March 31, 2026.
"Keeping in view the ensuing the third quarter of 2025, just few months away from the end date of the Mission, yet the Ministry is reiterating the old trope of initiation of 8 Ayush Public Health Programmes appearing oblivious of the upcoming closure of the Mission, the Committee recommends the Ministry to approach the ministry of finance for seeking extension of NAM for another 5 years (01.04.2026 to 31.03.2031)," said the Panel headed by Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav, in the report presented in the Rajya Sabha in mid-December.
Under the scheme at present, eight Ayush Public Health programmes have been approved as a new activity, such as National Programme for Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders; Integration of Ayush with National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS); Supraja; VayoMitra; Ayurvidya; Ayush Mobile Medial Unit; Karunya; and National Program on Ayush for morbidity management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) of Lymphatic Filariasis (lymphoedema).
The Panel said that it feels that the given eight schemes represent a solid foundation addressing several key public health areas through Ayush systems but the country may benefit from expansion or supplementary schemes to comprehensively cover infectious diseases, mental health, and broader preventive health strategies.
"The Ministry of Ayush is suggested to expand the scope of the Mission to cover the aforementioned areas of healthcare," it added.
Commenting on the contribution ratio between the Centre and the State in the centrally sponsored scheme, the Panel suggested that the Ministry of Ayush may take the matter of modification in existing ratio of 60% and 40% to 70% and 30% of Centre and State, so that economically weaker states may become part and parcel of NAM.
Since the implementation of NAM Scheme is mandated under Ministry of Ayush, it is imperative on the part of the Ministry of Ayush that no stone is left unturned by the Ministry in convincing a change in the contribution ratio.
"The Committee, strongly recommends the Ministry of Ayush to initiate communication with ministry of finance for increased allocation and the change in the contribution ratio to achieve cherished objective of the scheme," said the Panel.
It further recommended to the Ministry to explore the possibility of providing financial assistance and other forms of incentives so as to bring onboard the States/UTs that are unable to contribute their share into NAM scheme. The Ministry of Ayush must ensure that the States/UTs are encouraged to come under the umbrella of NAM, it added.
The Panel also recommended to the Ministry of Ayush to seek extension of the Ayurgyan scheme and Ayurswasthya Yojana beyond FY 2025-26. While this was recommended by the Panel in its previous report, the Ministry responded to it by meagrely mentioning that the recommendations are "Noted". The Panel expressed its concern on the Action Taken Reply from the Ministry in these matters.
"Considering the Scheme's (Ayurgyan) critical role in promoting education, research, training, and capacity building in the Ayush sector, the Committee reiterates its recommendation for extending the scheme beyond its current timeline i.e. 31st March, 2026. The Ministry is advised to initiate a timely review of the scheme's impact and utility, and to formulate a proposal for its continuation with enhanced scope and adequate budgetary allocation," said the Panel.
It sought details on whether the Ministry has approached the Ministry of Finance for approval of scheme extension along with the latter's response.
Deliberating on its previous recommendation for extension of the Ayurswasthya Yojana beyond FY 2025–26 and the response of the Ministry that it is "Noted", the Panel said that considering the vital role played by the scheme, particularly its components that include Public Health Initiative (PHI) and Centre of Excellence (CoE) in strengthening Ayush-based healthcare delivery, promoting research, and supporting integration with national public health priorities, the Committee reiterates its recommendation for the continuation of the Yojana in the ensuing financial years.
"The Ministry is urged to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment and initiate timely steps for extension with adequate budgetary provisions for the Scheme. The Committee would like to know whether the Ministry has approached the ministry of finance for approval of the Scheme's extension and what has been the response thereto. A detailed and time-bound action plan may be submitted to the Committee for further review," it added.
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