Jan Aushadhi Kendras to Provide Medicines 50% to 90% Cheaper Than Market Price, 2000 PACs Get Permission to Sell

Jan Aushadhi Kendras, an initiative to provide medicines at an affordable rate - at least 50 - 90 percent lesser than the market rates of costly brands, is all set to help people from the lower strata of society, especially those living in rural areas. Therefore, farmers in India can avail the maximum benefit from this scheme of government.

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah called for a meeting on Tuesday with the minister of Chemicals and fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya to discuss giving 2000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) permission to open Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Prandhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras

According to the plan shared by the ministry, at least 1000 Prandhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be opened by August, while 1000 by December this year.

India has 9400 Prandhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras so far, with at least 1800 types of medicines and 285 medical devices.

Eligibility Criteria to Open Prandhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras

The Eligibility Criteria for the Individual applicants to open Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra is to have D. Pharma/B. Pharma. Any organization, NGO, charitable organization or hospital can apply for this by appointing B.Pharma / D.Pharma degree holders.

For opening Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra at least 120 square feet of space either privately owned or rented should be available. The application fee for Jan Aushadhi Kendra is Rs.5000. Women Entrepreneurs, Divyang, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Ex-Servicemen come under Special Category. Aspirational Districts, Himalayan Mountain Region, North-Eastern States, and Islands are in Special Areas. There is an exemption in the application fee for applicants from special categories and special areas.

PACS Business Will Flourish

Jan Aushadhi Kendras not only generate employment, but also it is an attractive business deal for all the PACs who are willing to join in. The incentive amount for Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra is Rs.5 lakh (15% of monthly purchase or maximum of Rs.15,000 per month). One time additional incentive of Rs. 2 lakh as reimbursement for IT and infra expenditure in special categories and areas is also provided.