Centre approves proposal for opening of new Jan Aushadhi Kendras in 651 districts

New Delhi: The Centre has approved inviting online applications for opening new Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAK) in 651 districts in different states/UTs. The proposal will be sent by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).

Under this scheme, there are already more than 9,000 JAKs functional across the country. The government has set a target to increase the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras to 10,000 by March 2024.

The product basket of PMBJP comprises 1,759 medicines and 280 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups. PMBJP was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers, in 2008 with an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all.

This scheme provides an opportunity of self-employment with sustainable and regular earnings. Under PMBJP, an incentive of Rs five lakhs is provided to every JAK as financial assistance and one-time additional incentive of Rs two lakhs (as reimbursement for IT and infra expenditure) is provided to each JAK opened in the Northeastern states, Himalayan areas, island territories and backward areas identified as aspirational districts by NITI Ayog, or if opened by women entrepreneurs, ex-servicemen, divyangs, SCs & STs.