Jan Aushadhi stores in Indira Canteens still in limbo

The BBMP’s plan to open Jan Aushadhi counters in Indira Canteens is still hanging in balance, and the delay could now lead to the plan being junked.

Differences between the civic body officials and the state government’s Health and Family Welfare Department officials over space seems to be the main stumbling block.

As a part of the central government’s initiative, Jan Aushadhi centres were set up across the country to provide medicines at affordable prices. The BBMP wanted to open this facility in it’s Indira Canteen where meals are served at affordable prices across Bengaluru. But officials have not taken a decision yet.

The BBMP has been toying over setting up these counters for over a year now. Though the civic body had announced this plan in 2018 budget, little progress has been made.

Speaking to DH, a senior BBMP official who did not wish to be named, said, “The Jan Aushadhi centres require more space to store the medicines and an almirah. Though we are ready to provide a certain amount of space in Indira Canteens, it does not seem to sufficient. We are looking at other arrangements for this project.”

“They want to store close to 440 types of medicines and a storage section. This should not come in the way of customers visiting Indira Canteens,” said the official.

Principal Secretary Jawaid Akhtar said that the health department is still mulling over the project and they have not received any proposal from the BBMP or from the Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) regarding opening Jan Aushadi centres in Indira Canteens. “The Jan Aushadhi centres are already functioning in many parts of the city, and that may be sufficient,” the BBMP official said.