KATHMANDU : The Singhadurbar Baidyakhana Bikash Samiti (SBBS), the only state-owned manufacturer unit that produces Ayurvedic medicines has resumed production with a halt of four months. Now, the latest product is Triphala (an herbal remedy), a mixture of three dried fruits (Amala (Indian gooseberry), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula).
This follows the appointment of Dr Shyam Babu Yadav as its officiating executive director by the Ministry of Health and Population recently.
Earlier, employees of the SBBS with permanent status had been protesting accusing its former officiating executive director Dr Sabari Sah of overstaffing the company through the rampant appointments at a time when the company was out of production. Until recently, around 50 employees at the SBBS had be drawing salaries without work as it was out of production.
Now, the company will be producing other medicinal herbs, said a SBBS employee.
Without production and sales, the SBBS employees were deprived of salaries of four months. But, following the appointment of Yadav, their salaries in lump were deposited in their bank accounts, said the employee.
Meanwhile, the company is struggling to meet increasing demands for its Ayurvedic products.
It lacks Shilajit (Mineral Pitch), a mineral-rich resin that has long been used in Ayurveda healing for the past six months. Likewise, Avipattikar churna, an Ayurvedic medicine used for treatment of gastric, is also in short supply for the past four months.
At least 25 people visited the SBBS on a daily basis for the products. But they were forced to return them empty-handed without the products, said Aaditya Thakur of the sales department.
Shilajit worth Rs 10 million was supplied following its bidding between 2066 BS and 2070 BS. Recently, a bidding has been called to supply 3000 kg Shilajit, he said.
Similarly, it lacks Chyawanprash, an Ayurvedic health supplement made from a mixture of nutrient-rich herbs and minerals. The supplement is also in high demand, said Thakur.
Committee formed to suggest ways for addressing Singha Durbar Vaidya Khana issues
Meanwhile, a six-member committee has been formed to advise solutions for a long standing issue in the Singha Durbar Vaidya Khana Vikas Samiti (Development Committee).
The panel coordinated by its Samiti employee officer Rhishiraj Regmi comprises Satish Poudel, Rundhata Kumari Kharel, Dr Binod Shah, Dr Haridev Prasad Yadav and Ram Prabesh Yadav Jaysawal as its members, according to committee officiating executive director Dr Shyam Babu Yadav.
The drugs manufacturing from the Samiti has almost remained suspended and the Ministry of Health and Population on Monday appointed Yadav as its officiating executive director.
The employees were unpaid since the past four months due to the closure of committee business.
With the appointment of Yadav, the production of Trifala resumed from Friday. The employees got their remunerations on Sunday after a break of four months.
The newly formed body is mandated to present its report by mid- July, it is said.
The state-entity was established as the Ayurvedic manufacturer and supplier, and the ancient Singha Durbar Vaidya Khana was reformed as Singha Durbar Vaidya Khana Vikas Samiti in 2051 B.S.
