The Government of India, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has made the decision to permit 2,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to establish Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras throughout the country. This announcement was made during a meeting between Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah and Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Shri Mansukh S Mandaviya in New Delhi today. Among the identified PACS, 1,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be opened by August of this year, with an additional 1,000 to be established by December. This significant decision aims to boost the income of PACS, generate employment opportunities, and provide affordable medicines to people, especially those residing in rural areas. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperation, Secretary of the Department of Chemicals and Fertilizers, as well as other senior officers from the Ministry of Cooperation and Department of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
To date, over 9,400 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras have been inaugurated across the country. These centers offer 1,800 types of medicines and 285 other medical devices. Medications available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are priced 50% to 90% lower than branded medicines. Individuals interested in opening a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra must meet the eligibility criteria, which include holding a D. Pharma or B. Pharma degree. This requirement applies to individual applicants, as well as organizations, NGOs, charitable organizations, and hospitals.
A Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra should have a minimum area of 120 square feet, either self-owned or rented. The application fee for Jan Aushadhi Kendra is Rs 5,000. Women entrepreneurs, individuals with disabilities (Divyang), Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and ex-servicemen are categorized as special beneficiaries. Aspirational districts, Himalayan mountain regions, northeastern states, and islands fall under the special zone. Applicants belonging to special beneficiary categories and special areas are exempted from paying the application fee.
The incentive amount provided for a Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra is Rs 500,000 (15% of monthly purchases or a maximum of Rs 15,000 per month). Additionally, a one-time extra incentive of Rs 200,000 is offered as reimbursement for specific IT and infrastructure expenses in certain categories and sectors.
