Interestingly, while Ayurveda Director Dr Y C Markan continues to hold the post, his powers are now to be exercised by Commissioner Ayush, KBS Sidhu, who is also Secretary, Health.

The administrative and financial powers of the Director too have been withdrawn, said sources.

Sources said notwithstanding allegations that the move is a fallout of the Director's proximity with certain Congress leaders, the state government was keen on outsourcing the appointment for the post. The move has invited the ire of the Punjab Ayurveda Medical Officers' Association, which is alleging that the decision would mean bending the rules.

Association president Dr Harmanjit Singh said, "As per the rules, the post can only be filled through the Department Promotion Committee." The state, he said, has even framed rules in this regard, which have been vetted by the legal representative, but the government was sitting on it since it wants an outsider as the Director.

Dr Singh rued, "In the past about 12 years, no promotions have been made because there has been no DPC meeting. Only three districts in the state have district ayurveda officers, and of them one due for retirement."

There are other issues too that are ailing Punjab's Health Department. Sample this: Ever since June 2006, not a single drug licence for the production of alternative medicine has been issued in Punjab. Over 800 drug formulations await approval. As many as 35 drug licences need re-approval, which means they are technically running without approval as on date. Five new drug licences are pending approval. Sources said while the Director of Ayurveda inherits the powers as the state licensing authority, a communication by the government in June this year made a correction to this. The Secretary, Health, was given the licensing powers.

Sources said as per a letter dated September 21, 2007, by the Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shiv Basant, Director, Ayurveda, would be the licensing authority in the capacity of member secretary of the experts' committee.