Union Home Minister Amit Shah expands Jan Aushadhi Kendra reach through PACS

New Delhi, 8 January (MTNews): In a significant development today, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, addressed a program in New Delhi focusing on the distribution of store codes for the operation of Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PMJAK) to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) in five states, a PIB report said. The event witnessed the presence of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Cooperation, B. Verma, and several other dignitaries.

Amit Shah highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening PACS financially, linking them with diverse initiatives. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 2373 PACS across the country are being established as affordable medicine shops, known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras. This move aims to extend the reach of affordable medicines to rural areas and farmers, aligning with the vision of making quality healthcare accessible to all.

The Union Home Minister emphasized the success of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in improving healthcare in rural areas, saving approximately Rs 25,000 crore for the poor over the last nine years. The convergence of cooperation and health, as outlined by Amit Shah, signifies a path to prosperity and good health for the nation.

Shah commended the role of PACS, stating that they are pivotal in achieving the dream of making the poorest of the poor prosperous through cooperation by the year 2047. He outlined various measures to empower PACS, including model bye-laws, integration with micro ATMs, Kisan Credit Cards, Animal Husbandry Promotion Centers, and CSCs. Additionally, PACS have been authorized for LPG dealerships, ‘Har Ghar Nal se Jal’ campaign, and running affordable medicine and ration shops.

Highlighting the multifaceted benefits, Shah mentioned the inclusion of 22 different types of works under the new Byelaws, ensuring profitability and sustainability for PACS. The announcement of PACS being authorized to run petrol pumps and participate in the ‘Prime Minister Storage’ facility for modern warehouses drew attention, positioning PACS as crucial contributors to the country’s storage capacity.

Amit Shah shared that the Ministry of Cooperation has received 4470 PACS applications from 34 states and union territories in the last six months, with 2373 fully approved and 248 already operational. He acknowledged the challenges faced by PACS but emphasized their capability to thrive in business.

The Union Home Minister praised the synergy between the Ministry of Cooperation and the Pharmacy Council of India, driving the success of Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The commitment to creating 2 lakh new PACS in the next five years, setting up one PACS in every Panchayat of every village, further demonstrates the government’s dedication to cooperative development.

In conclusion, Amit Shah urged PACS representatives to follow bye-laws diligently, leverage government schemes, and contribute to making every PACS a center of energy and development in their respective villages. He underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to improving the health sector through various programs and emphasized India’s progress in the pharmaceutical sector on the global stage.