Ministry of Railways to Establish Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) at Railway Stations
In an effort to improve the well-being of passengers and visitors at railway stations, the Indian Railways is set to introduce a new policy framework aimed at establishing Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) in the circulating areas and concourses of select railway stations. These Kendras will be operated by licensed individuals or entities. The initial phase will see the implementation of this project across 50 chosen stations, a list of which is provided in Annexure-I.
Recognizing the need to serve the needs of the millions of daily visitors and passengers, the Indian Railways has consistently worked to upgrade facilities and amenities at its stations. The objectives of introducing PMBJKs at railway stations are as follows:
- Promotion of Affordable Healthcare: These Kendras will further the mission of the Government of India to make quality medicines and consumables (Janaushadhi products) accessible to all at affordable prices.
- Ease of Access: The introduction of PMBJKs will make it convenient for passengers and visitors at railway stations to access Janaushadhi products with ease.
- Enhancing Wellness: The availability of these affordable medicines will contribute to the well-being of individuals across all segments of society.
- Employment Opportunities: The establishment of these Kendras will create avenues for entrepreneurs, generating employment opportunities.
Under this new scheme, PMBJKs will be classified as ‘desirable passenger amenities.’ As part of this initiative, the Railways will provide designated outlets in the circulating areas and concourses of stations. These outlets will be operated by licensees on commercial lines.
The strategic placement of these outlets in convenient locations within circulating areas and concourses aims to benefit both incoming and outgoing passengers.
The setup and operation of PMBJKs will be managed by the selected licensees, based on locations identified by Railway Divisions. The allocation of stalls will be conducted through E-auctioning via the Integrated Railway E-Procurement System (IREPS). The design of these stalls will be conceptualized by the National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad.
Successful bidders for the PMBJK outlets will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and licenses required to operate a drug store. They will also need to adhere to all statutory requirements for proper drug storage.
Furthermore, the successful bidders for these outlets will be required to enter into an agreement with the nodal agency for PMBJKs, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), along with its authorized distributors for the Janaushadhi Scheme. This collaboration is a crucial step before commencing operations.
The introduction of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at railway stations represents a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare accessibility, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering wellness among the masses. The collaboration between the Indian Railways, licensees, and nodal agencies underscores the commitment to creating a positive impact on the lives of passengers and visitors across the country.
