Aug 12, 2011

Delhi high court directs union to frame guidelines on reimbursement of expense on Ayurvedic treatment

Aug 5, 2011

India may be famous worldwide for Ayurveda but the defence forces would not recognise its healing powers. The result - defence forces would not reimburse defence personnel for availing such treatment. This became an issue in a petition filed before the High Court of Delhi recently.

The division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna hearing the petition, directed the Centre to frame guidelines for compensation to defence personnel who wished to avail treatment under Ayurvedic or Homeopathic system of medicine.

The court also directed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to frame guidelines relating to medical treatment and reimbursement within three months in consultation with the heads of all three defence forces.

Petitioner Rajesh Srivastava, a social worker filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before Delhi High Court seeking such directions. Advocate Arjun Harkauli appearing for petitioner pointed out a case of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, where an NSG commando injured seriously and is now on medical advise to get Ayurvedic treatment for his survival, but defence force denied monthly reimbursement of Rs. 4000 for his Ayurvedic treatment.

The petition stated, "The national policy on Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy 2002 recognized the alternative medicines which are helpful for certain diseases but the defence forces refuse reimbursement for the treatment of any personnel through such alternative therapies."

The petition also submitted that it is arbitrary that while the central government promotes Ayurveda, Siddha and Homeopathy as legitimate form of medicine, the defence forces do not recognise such systems of medicine despite its proven curative capacity and scientific basis.


Source: http://www.lawetalnews.com/NewsDetail.asp?newsid=4495



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