Lok Sabha Question No. 4699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Uttar Dinajpur
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: Shri Kartick Chandra Paul

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4699 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH  MARCH 2026

Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Uttar Dinajpur

## 4699. Shri Kartick Chandra Paul:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that six blocks including the border blocks of Chopra and Hemtabad in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal are without any Jan Aushadhi Kendra, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps being taken to establish Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the said blocks to ensure affordable and accessible healthcare for the residents of the said district;
- (c) the number of medicine sold by the existing four Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the said district during the last three years, year-wise; and
- (d) whether there are any plans to increase awareness and accessibility of affordable medicines in the said blocks?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS  AND FERTILIZERS

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) and (b): Under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana scheme, a total of 894 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) are opened in the State of West Bengal as on 28.02.2026, including 7 in  Uttar  Dinajpur  district.  1  JAK  is  functional  in  Hemtabad  Block.    Currently,  no  JAK  is functional in Chopra Block of Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, and no applications have been received for opening a JAK there.

The Government has adopted a franchise-like model for opening of JAKs by inviting online applications  from  individual  entrepreneurs,  non-governmental  organisations,  societies,  trusts, firms, private companies, etc. Any individual having D. Pharma. or B. Pharma. qualification either herself/himself or any individual or organisation who has employed a person with such qualification  as  a  pharmacist  for  obtaining  drug  licence  from  the  State  Licensing Authority concerned is eligible to open a Jan Aushadhi Kendra.  Online applications have been invited from all  districts  of  the  country,  including  Dinajpur  district,  West  Bengal  through  the  website www.janaushadhi.gov.in.

- (c): Details of sale by Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal during the last three years, year-wise is as under:-

|   Sl. No. | Financial Year   |   No. of JAK functional |   Total sale atMRP (in ₹ Lakh) |
|-----------|------------------|-------------------------|--------------------------------|
|         1 | 2022-23          |                       3 |                             21 |
|         2 | 2023-24          |                       4 |                             25 |
|         3 | 2024-25          |                       4 |                             30 |

(d):  To increase awareness and accessibility of affordable medicines supplied through JAKs, targeted awareness campaigns about the benefits of Janaushadhi medicines are conducted on a regular basis:

- i. Awareness campaigns : Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), which  is  the  implementing  agency  for  PMBJP  conducts  awareness  campaigns  in coordination with bodies and platforms such as the Central Bureau of Communication, PIB, MyGov and MY Bharat, in various modes such as print, television, radio, social media platforms, outdoor hoardings, community engagement, etc.
- ii. Interactive messages/calls : Outreach and citizen engagement are also pursued through WhatsApp  chatbot  and  outbound  calls  to  inform  citizens  regarding  the  quality  of Janaushadhi products and the large savings that accrue from purchase of the same from nearest JAK.
- iii. Jan Aushadhi Week : Jan Aushadhi Week is celebrated every year in the first week of March during which special campaigns such as public rallies, health camps, seminars in pharmacy colleges, children engagement programmes, etc. are conducted across the nation to educate citizens, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders about the benefits of Janaushadhi generic medicines.
- iv. Messages from eminent persons :  Audio/video messages from well-known persons such as  public  representatives  and  eminent  doctors  are  disseminated  on  social  media platforms  to  highlight  the  benefits  of  Janaushadhi  medicines  and  dispel  myths associated with respect to their quality.
- v. Public engagement programme  in rural areas : To educate citizens in local languages/dialects,  publicity  is  also  done  through  health  camps, nukkad-natak , audiovisual display at Common Service Centres and public engagement workshops in association with local JAKs in rural areas.

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