The Mega Conclave is being organized by the Ministry of Cooperation in collaboration with the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
Within a few months, more than 4400 PACS/Cooperative Societies from 34 States/UTs have submitted their online applications on the Government of India’s Department of Pharmaceuticals portal for this initiative, out of which, more than 2300 cooperative societies have already received initial approval and 146 of them are ready to function as Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
The Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) were recently allowed to operate as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs), which provide quality generic medicines to the general public, which cost 50-90 percent less than the branded medicines available in the open market.
More than 2,000 types of generic medicines and around 300 surgical items are made available through these Kendras to common citizens at affordable prices. This initiative will provide new opportunities to PACS for diversification and expansion of their economic activities, thus leading to an increase in the incomes of millions of small and marginal farmers associated with them. It will also help in creating new employment opportunities in rural areas.
To give an impetus to the production of quality seeds, and organic products and promote exports, three new Multi-State Cooperative Societies for seeds, organic, and exports have also been set up.
The World's Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector is also being implemented to ensure adequate storage capacity in the country for ensuring food security, under which godowns and other agri infrastructure are being created at the PACS level.
