Lok Sabha Question No. 3293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-17
Subject: Janaushadhi Store in Assam
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Kripanath Mallah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3293

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 th  December, 2021

## Janaushadhi Store in Assam

## 3293.   SHRI KRIPANATH MALLAH:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP);
- (b) the details of the target set and achievements made thereunder so far;
- (c) the details of the funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under PMBJP in Assam during the last three years and the current year;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to increase Janaushadhi Stores within Assam;
- (e) whether the Government proposes to deepen the reach of PMBJP covering all districts in the country including Assam; and
- (f) if so, the details and the targets thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (Dr. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a): With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all citizens, especially to the poor and the deprived ones, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. Under the scheme, dedicated  outlets  known  as  Pradhan  Mantri  Bhartiya  Janaushadhi  Kendras  (PMBJKs)  are opened all over the country to provide generic medicines to the masses.

Medicines under the Scheme are priced on the principle of a maximum of 50% of the average  price  of  the  top  three  branded  medicines.  Therefore,  the  price  of  Jan  Aushadhi Medicines is cheaper at least by 50% and in some cases, by 80% to 90% of the market price of the branded medicines. The medicines listed in the product list of PMBJP are procured only from  World  Health  Organization  -  Good  Manufacturing  Practices  (WHO-GMP)  certified suppliers for ensuring the quality of the products. Apart from this, each batch of the drug is tested  at  laboratories  accredited  by  the  National  Accreditation  Board  for  Testing  and Calibration  Laboratories  (NABL).  Only  after  passing  the  quality  tests,  the  medicines  are dispatched to PMBJP Kendras.

Under  the  Scheme,  the  Government  provide  financial  assistance  to  the  operating agencies/ private entrepreneurs as under:

- i. An incentive up to Rs. 5.00 lakh is provided @ 15% of monthly purchases made, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15,000/- per month.
- ii. One-time incentive of Rs. 2.00 lakh for furniture & fixtures is provided to the PMBJP Kendras opened in the North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas, Island territories and backward areas mentioned as an aspirational districts by NITI Aayog or for Kendras opened by women entrepreneur, Divyang, SC & ST.
3. (b): The targets and achievements regarding opening of PMBJKs in the country are as under:

| Financial Year   | Cumulative Target   | Achievement             |
|------------------|---------------------|-------------------------|
| 2019-2020        | 6,300               | 6,306                   |
| 2020-2021        | 7,300               | 7,558                   |
| 2021-2022        | 8,300               | 8,578 (till 12.12.2021) |

Presently PMBJKs are functional in all the districts in the country.

- (c):  The status of allocation and utilization of funds under the scheme during the last three financial years and the current year is as under:

|   Sl. No. | Financial Year   |   Funds Allocated (Rs. In Cr.) | Funds Utilized (Rs. In Cr.)   |
|-----------|------------------|--------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|         1 | 2018-19          |                          42.5  | 42.50                         |
|         2 | 2019-20          |                          35.51 | 35.51                         |
|         3 | 2020-21          |                          65    | 65.00                         |
|         4 | 2021-22          |                          80    | 56.30 (till 12.12.2021)       |

No State/UT- wise fund allocations are made under the Scheme.

- (d), (e) & (f): As on 12.12.2021, about 8,578 PMBJKs are functional in the country, out of which 87 Kendras are functional in the state of Assam.  The target of opening 8,300 Kendras during the current financial year has already been achieved. A target of opening of 10,500 PMBJP Kendras by March 2025 has been fixed.

Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of  the  Scheme  has  taken  various  steps  for  expanding  the  reach  of  PMBJKs  in  the  state  of Assam. It has recently issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting applications for opening of  PMBJKs  in  265  districts  in  the  country,  including  26  districts  of  Assam.  Further,  the Department of Pharmaceuticals and PMBI send letters at various levels regularly to all the State Governments, including the State of Assam, for expediting opening of PMBJKs.

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