Patna, Oct. 23: Legislative Council chairman Tarakant Jha today slammed the Nitish Kumar government over the closed ayurvedic colleges in the state.

Jha, chief guest at a national seminar on “Role of ayurveda in developing Bihar”, said: “I want to ask the government how many ayurvedic colleges are there in Bihar? While the one in Patna is running, those in Gaya, Darbhanga, Begusarai and Motihari have closed down. How can ayurveda be promoted if the colleges are closed?” Jha also claimed that auyurveda was the need of the hour to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A number of ayurvedic doctors and other dignitaries attended the seminar at SK Memorial Hall. State industries minister Renu Kumari, who also attended the meet, said it was essential to initiate more research in ayurveda.

A cultural programme was also organised after the seminar. Singers Indrajeet Ganguly and Barnali Ganguly performed ghazals. Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi was the chief guest at the cultural event.