'AYUSH' aimed at increasing traditional systems of healthcare: Prez

President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said the government has recently elevated the erstwhile department of AYUSH to a full-fledged ministry with an objective to increase the global and local footprint of the traditional systems of healthcare.

"My government has recently elevated the erstwhile department of AYUSH to a full-fledged ministry with an objective to increase the global and local footprint of the traditional systems of healthcare, duly recognizing that our villages have been the repositories of our rich Ayurvedic heritage," said President Mukherjee in his address to both houses of Parliament ahead of the Budget Session.

"National AYUSH Mission has been launched to promote cost effective AYUSH services, strengthen the education system and facilitate availability of quality AYUSH drugs," he added.

The Budget Session, which contains 44 items of financial, legislative and non-legislative business, began today with President Mukherjee's address.

The first part of the Budget Session will continue till March 20 while the second part will commence after a month-long break from April 20 and conclude on May 8.

The Rail Budget will be presented on February 26, Economic Survey on February 27 and General Budget on February 28.