Jan Aushadhi Kendra: The central government has decided to allow 2,000 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to open ‘Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra’ across the country. This move of the Ministry of Cooperation assumes significance as medicines are available at these centers at 50 to 90% less rate than branded medicines. The ministry said in a statement that around 1,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras would be opened by August and the rest by December this year.
A decision in this regard was taken in a meeting between Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. “This important decision will not only increase the income of PACS and generate employment opportunities, but will also make medicines available at affordable prices to people, especially those living in rural areas,” the statement said.
The incentive amount for Jan Aushadhi Kendra is Rs 5 lakh (15 per cent of monthly purchases or subject to a maximum of Rs 15,000 per month). A one-time additional incentive of Rs 2 lakh is also provided as reimbursement for IT and infra expenditure in special categories and sectors, the ministry said.
Eligibility criteria for opening Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra
The ministry said that the eligibility criteria for individual applicants to open Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra is to be D Pharma / B Pharma. Any Institution, NGO, Charitable Institution and Hospital can apply for this by employing B Pharma/D Pharma degree holders.
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What is the application fee for the centre?
To open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra, at least 120 square feet of space should be available either privately owned or on rent. The application fee for the center is Rs 5,000. Women Entrepreneurs, Divyang, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Ex-Servicemen come under special category. Aspirational districts, Himalayan mountain regions, northeastern states and islands are in the special zones. There is an exemption in the application fee for the applicants of special category and special area.
(With inputs from PTI)