New Delhi, March 19 (IANS): As a debate on merger of three Ayurveda institutes into one of national importance continued in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, many MPs asked the government why such institute is being set up in Gujarat only, urging the government to set up such institutes in Kerala, West Bengal and Maharashtra as well.

The Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the YSR Congress MPs, among others, participated in the discussion in the Lok Sabha.

"We are talking about strengthening Ayurveda by setting up an institute in Jamnagar (Gujarat). But on what basis is it considered an institute of national importance? Where is the equality with the other institutions?" asked Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.

"A Standing Committee on HRD had once said that there should be parameters to evaluate the institutions. It is not being done there (Gujrat). Is it merely because of Ayurveda Institutes at Gujarat Ayurveda University (GAU) campus?" he asked.

"I request that what is being done in Gujarat should also be done in Kerala. A similar national University of Ayurveda should also be set up in Thiruvananthapuram as institute of national importance."

Raghu Ramakrishna Raju of YSR Congress said he is happy that by taking such an initiative, the government is going back to the roots of Indian Ayurveda. He urged that similar institutes should also be established in Kerala and West Bengal.

NCP's Amol Ramsing Kolhe appreciated the Central government's initiative for establishing an Ayurveda institute of National importance in Gujarat but wanted to know why similar institutes are not being set up in Kerala, West Bengal and Maharashtra.

"If it is done so, India will be known for an integrated medical approach," he added.