The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Thursday observed that Siddha medicine was being neglected and unless adequate research in the field was carried out, there was no question of development and popularity of this system of medicine. The court put forth a series of queries for the Centre and State to respond to with regard to steps taken towards development of Siddha medicine.
A Division Bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and S.S. Sundar said that since both the Centre and the State were not showing any interest by allocating funds, there was no considerable research in the field. Appropriate steps must be taken towards development of Siddha medicine. The court suo motu impleaded the Principal Secretary to the Department of AYUSH as party to the case.
The court asked the Centre and State to respond to the funds allocated for the development of Siddha medicine; whether researches were being carried out and suitable scholars were available to guide the students of Siddha; what were the employment opportunities; and whether there were an excess or shortage of Siddha degree holders in the State.
Further, the court sought a response on what steps were initiated to develop Siddha and a report on the types of plants and species considered important. The court was hearing the public interest litigation petition filed by K. Murugesan of Madurai who sought a direction to both Centre and State to allot funds for the development of Siddha medicine. The case was adjourned to April 22.
EOM