- WHO Working Group Meeting on developing Standardized Terminologies in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha
The three day meeting organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with the support of Ministry of AYUSH at Jamnagar to review the draft documents on Terminologies of Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha has laid a firm foundation for the globalisation efforts of these three AYUSH systems. The meeting was held during 2nd to 4th December, 2019 at the Institute of Post Graduate Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (IPGT&RA), Jamnagar, Gujarat. IPGT&RA is India’s oldest PG College for Ayurveda, and is also a designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine.
The Standard International Terminologies Documents reviewed here were developed by WHO as part of its global strategy to strengthen the quality, safety and effectiveness of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM). Development of these documents is included in the Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) on Cooperation in the field of Traditional and Complementary Medicine under WHO strategy on T&CM covering the period 2014-2023 signed between World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Traditional Medicines are an important integral part of Universal Health Coverage Program especially under Sustainable Developmental Goal-3 (SDG-3) of United Nations.
In the WHO Working Group Meetings (WGMs), each of the three zero draft documents prepared by experts were reviewed and an international consensus regarding the structure and content of each of the documents was arrived at. The documents are expected to provide the list of terms in the respective systems, definitions (short or explanatory descriptions as required) including contextual meanings of the terms, classical usages and references, suggested English terms, synonyms and exclusions if any. The documents cover terms related to basic principles, fundamental theories, human structure and function, diagnosis, pathologies, patterns and body constitutions, pharmacognosy, pharmacology, preparation of food and medicines, therapeutics, preventive and promotive health interventions and miscellaneous terms of the respective medical systems. The standardized terminologies will facilitate better communication between practitioners of modern and traditional medicine, and support integration of traditional medicine into the national health system. These documents will be of immense utility to other health professionals, medical students and relevant researchers also.
A total of 20 International experts of Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha from 13 different countries (Covering all six regions of WHO) like Japan, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, UAE, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Malaysia, South Africa, Nepal and Iran along with 21 National experts and four WHO officials participated in the meeting.
- Welfare of People affected by TAPS Project
The Land acquisition for the project was carried out in the first phase in 1960s and the second phase in early 2000s. The Project Affected Persons (PAPs) at Tarapur have been rehabilitated in line with the rehabilitation package formulated by the Maharashtra Government as per the then prevalent laws/acts.
In addition, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) undertakes several programmes for the welfare of neighbourhood including PAPs, as a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). These include providing civic amenities, Healthcare, Education & Skill Development, Infrastructure, Sanitation and Sustainable Development.
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and NPCIL have made efforts to employ as many eligible people from among PAPs as possible, considering the requirements of the qualifications and skills required for various jobs in the nuclear power plants. Diversified initiatives to enable PAPs for securing employment/livelihood are implemented. These include relaxation in age and percentage of marks in qualifying criteria in recruitment to Group C posts advertised by Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), award of services and maintenance contracts to PAPs and special dispensation for allotment of shops in TAPS Township.
NPCIL as a Public Sector Enterprise of the Department of Atomic Energy follows all the orders/guidelines issued by the Central Government for recruitment. As per the extant rules, no quota is specifically earmarked for Local (Home District/Home State) candidates. However, NPCIL has provided question papers for recruitment in the posts to be carried out at the site (Group B technical and all Group C) in Marathi, in addition to English & Hindi.
- Welfare Schemes for the Labourers
In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganized sector, Government enacted the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008.
In June, 2017, Government has converged Aam Admi Bima Yojana with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) provide insurance cover to unorganized workers.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana provides life insurance cover of Rs. 2 lakh on payment of premium of Rs. 330 per annum. PMJJBY is available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 years.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana provides insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lakh on accidental death or full disability, and Rs. 1 lakh on partial disability on payment of premium of Rs. 12 per annum. The Scheme is available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years. The total premium of Rs.342/- is shared equally between the State Government and Central Government. This is implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana was started in February, 2019. This Scheme is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the benefit of unorganized workers, for providing monthly minimum assured pension of Rs.3,000/- on attaining the age of 60 years. The unorganized workers in the age group of 18-40 years whose monthly income is Rs.15,000/- or less and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS can join the scheme. Under the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government. Enrolment to the Scheme is done through the Common Service Centres, with its network of 3.50 lakh Centres across the country.
The benefits under the scheme are being transferred through DBT system and the applications under this scheme are invited and processed through the National Scholarship Portal. Under this scheme Financial Assistance from Rs.250/- to Rs.15,000/- (depending upon class/course) for students studying from Class Ist to Professional degree course.
Health care facilities are being provided to Beedi, Cine and Non Coal Mine workers and to their families through 10 Hospitals and 286 Dispensaries located across the country.