The Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG) has censured the Uttarakhand government for failing to promote Ayush tourism as a potential source of revenue in the hill state, where Kolkata-based Emami’s project has also hit a roadblock.

The government, in September 2007, had set a target to establish one Ayush Gram in each of the 13 districts of Uttarakhand to enhance sustainability of rural economy under the 11th Plan period (2007-12) in accordance with the national policy.

The government approved (January 2009) guidelines for establishment of Ayush Grams involving facilities based on Indian systems of medicines through public-private partnership (PPP) mode as per a report in Business Standard. 

The CAG noted that the government’s Ayush department failed to achieve the target.

“Thus the objective of promoting Ayush tourism in the state as a potential source of revenue could not be achieved despite lapse of more than four years,” CAG noted in its latest report for the previous financial year ended March 31.

Though the department had invited proposals for all the 13 districts, it received only eight proposals. Out of these, only two proposals were found suitable, CAG said.

The department entered into an agreement with Kolkata-based Emami Ltd for setting up the first Ayush Gram at Bhawali in Nainital district in August, 2010. The department handed over the land for 35 years’ lease to the company. According to the agreement, Emami submitted a bank guarantee of Rs 50 lakh along with upfront payment of Rs 2.5 crore.

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