New Delhi, Nov 20 (IANS) The health ministry will spend Rs.9.2 billion this financial year for promoting Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) - the Indian systems of medicine - in the country, Minister of State for Health S. Gandhiselvan told parliament Friday.

'Steps have been taken for standardisation of drugs, production and quality control of raw material (medicinal plants), production of quality assurance of drugs, raising the standards of research and education and spreading awareness,' he said in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

The minister said the government has also taken the initiative to increase India's share in the global market for herbal medicines.